Canadians produce a lot of organic waste. Statistics show that an average of $31 billion a year is thrown out, according to the Toronto Food Policy Council. Nearly half of the food waste across the country comes from homes. That works out to over $1,500 per household each year.
Not only is organic waste a costly problem, but it can also be a hazard for the environment. These materials, which are often discarded with the other garbage, end up rotting in landfills. As they decay, they produce methane gas, which is 25 times more toxic to the environment than carbon dioxide.
However, there are several ways that you can help reduce the problem at your home and workplace. Learning to manage your organic waste will mean learning new waste habits that can help the environment and reduce the amount of waste you produce.
When it comes to discarding your organic waste, it should always be handled in a different way than your regular household garbage. From worm bins to composting to recycling, there are several ways you can choose to discard your organic waste.
Having a worm bin is one of the best ways for you to deal with your organic waste safely. The idea is to create a type of worm community in a bin that will take care of discarded food or plant material. To get started, you will need a clean, decent-sized bin. Then you can add some dirt for your worms to live in. Once that has been added, you are ready to introduce your worms to their new home. To find worms for your bin, you can visit your local garden or pet store and purchase some. They will also be able to give you some tips to keep your worm community happy and working through your organic waste. This can also be a great learning opportunity if you have children in your home. They can learn more about protecting the environment, as well as the jobs that various animals, like worms, do.
Similar to a worm bin, but without the creepy crawlies, a composting bin is a designated waste container reserved only for organic waste like food and plants. Most municipalities have composting waste pick up schedules similar to the garbage removal services provided. Composting has become one of the most well-known ways to handle your organic food waste. Simply place any unused or uneaten portions of food in the bin. To remove the compost, you will need to put it into the proper bin or biodegradable bag for pick up. While some people may be concerned that the composting bin will create a bad smell, it’s a problem that can be easily tackled by cleaning the bin regularly. Every time you empty it; you should give it a quick rinse, which can reduce the odour. Another concern that some people have is how flies may be attracted to the compost bin. Yet, by setting up fly traps, such as containers of red wine vinegar with plastic wrap, you can trick the flies into the container, but they won’t be able to get back out to mess with your compost.
Organic waste is ideal for gardens. By discarding your food scraps and other organic materials in your garden, you can help the environment while creating a fertile soil you can use. Organic waste can help your garden plants keep moisture and water in the soil, as well as provide good nutrients they can use as they grow. The best way to take advantage of the goodness of organic waste is to deposit it into the soil rather than spread it on top.
Another way you can help deal with organic waste in your home is to have a food waste system installed in your sink. In Philadelphia, they attempted a trial that saw new homes being built with in-sink food systems. They found there was a 35 percent reduction in the amount of food waste created from these homes. The added benefit of having a disposal system in your sink is that it reduces the smell created, as well as the amount of garbage in landfills.
Cutting down the amount of food that you buy can also help reduce the amount of organic waste that is created. Rather than buying large amounts of foods that can spoil easily, like fruits and vegetables, it is better to buy less but more often. This can ensure that you won’t have to throw away food that has spoiled while sitting in your fridge waiting to be eaten.
Surprisingly, many people don’t realize that junk removal companies can provide you with an organic waste bin to help you manage your food and plant garbage. By renting a bin, you can determine the best size that works for you and you can call for it to be collected when it gets full. Some neighbours may also come together and get a larger bin that the whole community can use to promote a safe way to discard your organic waste.
Canadian homes create a large amount of organic waste. Unfortunately, when this waste makes it into the garbage with your other household garbage, it will end up in a landfill. As the organic waste rots, it will produce methane gas, which is very hazardous to the environment. However, by using different methods of handling your organic waste, you can protect the environment and even reduce the amount of waste your household produces each year.
For more information about how professional junk removal services can help you handle your organic waste, call Red Bins at 416-733-2467 or contact us here.
