What happens after all the yard waste is collected?

A look behind the scenes at how we recycle yard waste

The yard waste collected from your curb might start out as leaves and branches, but it is eventually turned into compost.

All the yard waste collected throughout Winnipeg and at the 4R Depots ends up being piled into long rows, known as windrows, at the Brady Road Resource Management Facility to be composted.

“There is a process everything goes through,” said Mark Kinsley, Waste Diversion Supervisor.

Yard waste is brought to the Brady Road Resource Management Facility.
Compost at various stages at the Brady Road Resource Management Facility.
A large machine is used to turn the compost.
The compost is sifted to remove any large materials.
The finished compost product.

Wood chips are added and then the material is put through a series of temperature and moisture content tests. It’s then sprayed with water to help the composting process. A large machine then regularly drives over the windrows to turn the compost.

It takes between eight to 12 weeks for the compost to cure.

When the compost is ready, it is used on site at the Brady Road Resource Management Facility for landscaping and in other parts of the city, like parks. We also give away compost at our annual giveaway in May.

“We are also able to sell it to soil manufacturers where they will combine it and use it as an enrichment additive,” said Kinsley.

We introduced curbside yard waste collection in 2012. Kinsley said Winnipeggers have embraced the service.

“We appreciate everyone’s participation in the program,” he said.

In 2022, 39,814 tonnes of yard waste was diverted from the landfill. Of that, 24,071 tonnes were picked up at the curb.  The remaining15,743 tonnes were dropped off at the 4R Winnipeg Depots and the Brady Road Resource Management Facility. This includes the production of  4,124 tonnes of wood chips.

While yard waste is collected at the curb from April to November, it can be brought to any of the three 4R Winnipeg Depots to be composted any time of year.

Originally posted on November 26, 2018.

Homeowner, renter and business information Parks, trees and the environment Water and waste

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