Journal Facts

Journal
Journal of Environmental Systems
ISSN
0047-2433 (print) 1541-3802 (electronic)
Volume
20
Issue
3
Date
1/1/1990

Article Facts

Title
The Waste Diversion Potential of Backyard Composting
DOI
10.2190/5ATC-LKEV-87JH-QMTT
Author
Robert J. P. Gale
Pages
257-267
Online Date
05/09/2002

Article Links

The Waste Diversion Potential of Backyard Composting

Robert J. P. Gale

DOI: 10.2190/5ATC-LKEV-87JH-QMTT

Abstract

The amount of waste diverted from curbside pick-up through home composting was determined for a sample population in the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth, Ontario. Over the study period, 1,322 grams per household per day of organic waste was transferred to a manufactured home composting unit. Of this, 523 g/h/d was kitchen waste, 244 g/h/d grass waste, and 555 g/h/d yard waste. Previous composters transfer more kitchen and yard waste than do new composters. An estimate of the annual amount of waste diverted from municipal curbside pick-up to the composter can be derived from these data. By allowing for seasonal changes in the waste stream and the different proportions of previous and new composters, the annual household diversion is calculated to be 219 kilograms. New composters divert 279 kg, previous composters 97 kg.

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