The organic material then begins a four-month circular journey through Metro Vancouver, eventually coming back to the North Shore.
Following pickup, the collection of yard trimmings, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and miscellaneous plate scrapings are dropped off at the green waste area of the North Shore Transfer Station on Riverside Drive.
Residents who miss pickup can also drop off food waste and yard trimmings, as well as clean wood waste, at the transfer station.
The organic materials are loaded into trucks and delivered to Harvest/Fraser Richmond Soil & Fibre's composting site in Richmond. Workers at the site mix and stack the organic materials in large compost cells, where the material is stored for approximately two months.
The compost cells utilize negative airflow, which provides an ideal condition for composting while controlling odour with the use of a bio-filter.
The composted materials are screened and then cured for an additional two months.
Once the process is complete, the compost is sold at the North Shore Transfer Station as Soil Amender, Garden Blend, and Turf Blend.
The compost, as well as a line of mulches, can also be ordered for delivery.
North Shore residents are reminded that plastic, even when marked compostable or biodegradable, is not accepted at Fraser Richmond Soil & Fibre.
The green can program is designed to reduce the amount of garbage heading to landfills while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
To learn more about Harvest/ Fraser Richmond Soil & Fibre, visit www.harvestpower.com/bc
