Ecology North is betting that residents will drive downtown to dump their compost bins after the City of Yellowknife paused curbside pick-up on April 3.

The environmental organization has converted two red dumpsters by 5013 50 Avenue, accessible via the alley near the pop-up park, for the dumping of green bins. Craig Scott, executive director of Ecology North, said the temporary measure will allow for waste to continue to be diverted.

Once filled, the dumpsters will be dropped off at the landfillSA国际影视传媒檚 organics section, where they'll be processed and turned into soil or compost.

SA国际影视传媒淎s soon as things get back to normal weSA国际影视传媒檙e expecting green cart pick up to continue,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e hope that people will continue to separate out their green, organic material so that when does this resume SA国际影视传媒� theySA国际影视传媒檒l still have their systems in place and still have those good habits.SA国际影视传媒�

About 35 per cent of the landfill is organic waste, Scott said, meaning removing organics can remove a significant portion while creating much-needed soil.

The pause on curbside compost collection follows news last summer that components of the citySA国际影视传媒檚 recycling had been effectively curtailed.

Scott asked residents to continue composting nonetheless, and noted the City of Yellowknife continued to stockpile some recyclables and fully process others.

SA国际影视传媒淜eep putting things into recycling bins and making sure theySA国际影视传媒檙e all separated and cleaned. (That) makes it more likely it will get recycled,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Backyard composting and gardening an option, farmer says

On top of the 50 Avenue dumpsters, the non-profit is asking residents to dust off their backyard compost bins and has also offered worms to help residents with their scraps.

Scott said backyard composting can be as simple as tacking together pallets for a temporary bin, and dumping green bin contents in as needed.

To support the effort, local farmer France Benoit will offer tips for backyard composting over social media. SheSA国际影视传媒檒l also share her own updates as she develops her compost on a farm in Yellowknife.

She doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 like to call kitchen scraps "waste." For her, theySA国际影视传媒檙e an essential resource for gardening in NWT, where soils tend to be less nutrient-rich.

Benoit predicted food delivery disruptions in the city as a result of supply chain challenges springing from the pandemic and potential food hoarding.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is the year to start growing our own food,SA国际影视传媒� she advised.

Composting can be an option even for residents in apartments, with worms provided by Ecology North, she said.

SA国际影视传媒淚t takes a community to feed a community,SA国际影视传媒� Benoit said.

As she develops her own "farm" in the city, she said sharing updates over social media can inform residents how to tackle their own gardens. Her farm comprises several small gardens and most of the lessons are transferable, she said.

She hopes gardening will build resiliency and offer more secure food sources in the city.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e all scared and uncertain and uncomfortable,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e all been pushed to our limits.SA国际影视传媒�

With that in mind, growing food can be a good first step to build community and respond to the crisis, she said.

SA国际影视传媒淚f I can do it here, in the subarctic, then anyone can do it,SA国际影视传媒� she said.