Residents in Wards 1 to 5 can collect a free backyard composter beginning this weekend

HAMILTON, ON – Earlier this month, Hamilton City Council approved a program that will allow residents in wards 1 to 5 to collect a free backyard composter. The temporary program is meant to help reduce the amount of organic material entering the landfill while the city’s Central Composting Facility is closed.

Beginning this Saturday, July 28, residents in wards 1 to 5 can bring photo ID with proof of address to one of the pick-up events to receive a free backyard composter. 

Residents can find out if they are eligible to receive a free backyard composter at www.hamilton.ca/backyardcomposting

Quick Facts about backyard composters:

• Residents are responsible for managing their own composting and ensuring composters are kept in good condition and used properly
• Are not collected curbside by the City of Hamilton
• Must be kept in the rear yard
• Must be at least one metre from the property line
• Accept kitchen scraps (fruit, vegetables, peels and trimmings, eggshells, teabags, coffee grinds, filters, etc.)
• Do not accept meat, bones, grease, fat, cheese, salad dressing, oil, etc.

Pick-up events:

Sat. July 28, 2018    

• Hamilton City Hall Garage
• 71 Main Street W, Hamilton (on the south side of the parking lot)
• 8 am to 12 pm

Sat. August 11, 2018  

• Hamilton’s Central Composting Facility
• 1579 Burlington Street E, Hamilton
• 8 am to 12 pm

Sat. August 18, 2018    

• City of Hamilton’s Wentworth Operations Centre
• 330 Wentworth Street N, Hamilton
• 8 am to 12 pm

Temporary pick-up locations:

Kenora Community Recycling Centre

• 460 Kenora Avenue E, Hamilton
• July 28 to September 1
• Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 6 pm

City Hall Garage

• 71 Main Street W, Hamilton (on the south side of the parking lot)
• July 30 – August 3 (8 am to 12 pm)
• August 7 – 10 (2 pm to 6 pm)
• August 13 – 17 (8 am to 12 pm)
• August 20 – 24 (2 pm to 6 pm)

One backyard composter per household will be available to residents in wards 1 to 5, while supplies last.

Residents in wards 6 to 15 can purchase a backyard composter for $35 at any of the City’s Municipal Service Centres.

Additional Resources:

• Backyard composting
• What goes in the backyard composter
• Temporary closure of the Central Composting Facility