Upcoming conference marks 20 years of industry advancement

Twenty years ago, a conference was held that marked the beginnings of organics recycling and compost advocacy in Canada. Folks gathered around tables and discussed the opportunities and issues that would lead to the establishment of the Compost Council of Canada, and the journey to build organics recycling and compost markets across the country was begun.

Since that start – about 7,000 days ago – Canadian compost infrastructure has developed to the point where we capture well over three million tonnes of organic residuals annually, and they are transformed into compost for a wide range of markets. Supported with the creation of regulations and voluntary standards, guided by training, advocacy and communication outreach, organics recycling advances have been created in the backyard, on the farm, at the curb and within businesses.   

And wisdom has been attained through the experiences of many – all building and contributing to compost’s collective goal of environmental and economic sustainability.   It is this wisdom and experience that will form the basis for the Compost Council of Canada’s upcoming 20th Annual National Compost Conference – “Celebrating our Roots and Digging into our Future” – to be held in Ottawa, September 22 to 24.   

Conference sessions will feature presentations from practitioners, academics and industry observers, detailing advances in feedstock capture, operational management, regulations, revenue opportunities and market development.  

Exhibitors will provide registrants with a virtual “one-stop” access to the infrastructure support needed to build program success. And two days of tours (with one starting on September 21 from Toronto) will enable participants to “kick the tires” and witness compost life-in-action.

Facilities to be visited this year include the City of Toronto’s Dufferin Organics Processing Facility, the Region of Peel’s IWMF and Curing Facilities, Miller Compost’s Pickering facility, and Norterra Organics in Kingston.  

Registration and conference details may be found by visiting www.compost.org or calling the Council at 1-877-571-GROW(4769). 

Susan Antler is the Executive Director of the Compost Council of Canada.