National composting survey results released by Canadian Composting Council
The topline results of the latest survey of centralized composting facilities in Canada has recently been released by The Composting Council of Canada. The results are based on phone surveys with 227 composting facilities across Canada, with the input being focused on 2005 results. Here are some of the findings: • 227 composting facilities responded to the survey, including 85 private, 123 public, and 19 public-private partnerships.
• Regionally, the facilities were located 43 percent in Western Canada (BC to Manitoba) numbering 98 facilities.
• 60 facilities polled were in Ontario (26% of total), 29 facilities in Quebec (13% of total), and 40 facilites in Atlantic Canada (18% of total).
• Of the facilities who provided input, 3,947,184 tonnes of organic materials were processed in 2005. Private composting facilities processed 2,907,907 tonnes (74% of total) while public composting facilities processed 1,039,277 tonnes of organic residuals (26% of total).
• Regionally, these facilities processed the following tonnages:Western Canada: 867,761 tonnes (22% of total); Ontario: 681,089 tonnes (17% of total); Quebec:1,004,970 tonnes (26% of total); and Atlantic Canada: 1,393,363 tonnes (35% of total).
Provincially, the facilities where the most volume (3,773,871 tonnes; 95.6 percent of the total) is being processed are as follows.New Brunswick is processing the most at 1,227,245 tonnes. Quebec reported 1,004,970 tonnes, Ontario, 681,089 tonnes, Alberta, 602,810 tonnes, and BC is at 257,757 tonnes.
• On a national basis, the facilities polled reported that they were operating on average at 74 percent capacity. The most common composting method being used, according to the poll is windrows (in 166 facilities). Other composting methods being used include static aerated piles in 22 facilities, and in-vessel in 30 facilities.
• The most common organic residual feedstocks accepted at composting facilities are yard waste, wood waste and animal manures. Residential and commercial food residuals were being processed by 67 facilities and 34 facilities, respectively. Municipal biosolids were being processed at 32 composting facilities.
• The facilities reported 2005 production of 2,434,378 tonnes of compost. Compost was sold in bulk and bag format by 159 and 53 facilities respectively. Sixty-eight composting facilities also were involved in “compost give-away” activities. Fifty-nine facilities used the compost that they produced for their own use. To give a perspective of how far we’ve progressed as a nation, the CCC compares its latest findings to their first national survey (1992/93), when there were about 100 composting facilities reportedly processing 275,000 tonnes of organics. In 1998, the CCC’s survey reported the processing of 1,650,000 tonnes of organic residuals. Visit www.compost.org for more, and for the full results of the 1998 survey.
• Regionally, the facilities were located 43 percent in Western Canada (BC to Manitoba) numbering 98 facilities.
• 60 facilities polled were in Ontario (26% of total), 29 facilities in Quebec (13% of total), and 40 facilites in Atlantic Canada (18% of total).
• Of the facilities who provided input, 3,947,184 tonnes of organic materials were processed in 2005. Private composting facilities processed 2,907,907 tonnes (74% of total) while public composting facilities processed 1,039,277 tonnes of organic residuals (26% of total).
• Regionally, these facilities processed the following tonnages:Western Canada: 867,761 tonnes (22% of total); Ontario: 681,089 tonnes (17% of total); Quebec:1,004,970 tonnes (26% of total); and Atlantic Canada: 1,393,363 tonnes (35% of total).
Provincially, the facilities where the most volume (3,773,871 tonnes; 95.6 percent of the total) is being processed are as follows.New Brunswick is processing the most at 1,227,245 tonnes. Quebec reported 1,004,970 tonnes, Ontario, 681,089 tonnes, Alberta, 602,810 tonnes, and BC is at 257,757 tonnes.
• On a national basis, the facilities polled reported that they were operating on average at 74 percent capacity. The most common composting method being used, according to the poll is windrows (in 166 facilities). Other composting methods being used include static aerated piles in 22 facilities, and in-vessel in 30 facilities.
• The most common organic residual feedstocks accepted at composting facilities are yard waste, wood waste and animal manures. Residential and commercial food residuals were being processed by 67 facilities and 34 facilities, respectively. Municipal biosolids were being processed at 32 composting facilities.
• The facilities reported 2005 production of 2,434,378 tonnes of compost. Compost was sold in bulk and bag format by 159 and 53 facilities respectively. Sixty-eight composting facilities also were involved in “compost give-away” activities. Fifty-nine facilities used the compost that they produced for their own use. To give a perspective of how far we’ve progressed as a nation, the CCC compares its latest findings to their first national survey (1992/93), when there were about 100 composting facilities reportedly processing 275,000 tonnes of organics. In 1998, the CCC’s survey reported the processing of 1,650,000 tonnes of organic residuals. Visit www.compost.org for more, and for the full results of the 1998 survey.