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6 Composting Myths Uncovered: The Truth About Composting at Work
We’re here to bust some common composting myths. It’s actually a lot easier than you think!
The Office Compost Program is here to bust composting myths.
Contact us today to start using a green bin at work!
Myth #1: Composting makes your office smell bad
While it’s true that organic waste can make your office smell bad, that’s not the case if you take the necessary precautions.
Having a secure lid on your bin and replacing or emptying the bin weekly is the key to avoiding smells.
With our Office Compost Program, your food waste is picked up weekly by a Team Member. At that time, you will also receive a fresh and clean Green Bin, so you won’t have to worry about anything smelling bad!
To learn more about what can and can’t be composted in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region, please click here.
Here’s a general guide as to what can be included in office composting
COURTESY: HTTPS://WWW.PORTLANDOREGON.GOV/SUSTAINABILITYATWORK/ARTICLE/468043
Myth #2: Composting makes disposing of waste complicated
Let’s be honest: it’s very convenient to simply find the closest garbage can and dump everything in, knowing it will be picked up and disposed of by someone else.
We already take the time to recycle – do we need to complicate things further by separating our food waste as well?
However, though these ideas may cross your mind, the composting process is actually quite easy.
You follow the same process when getting rid of any other waste. You just separate items into two different bins, with all compostable items going in the Green Bin!
At most, it will add a few more seconds to the process – and you’ll quickly find out that it’s worth it!
Myth #3: Composting takes up a lot of space
Separate waste streams means more cumbersome bins in your office, right?
Not really, seeing as compost bins are typically quite small and can easily be stored in your kitchen or bathroom with the rest of your trash bins!
And now that you’re separating food waste from the rest, you can even reduce the size of your office garbage bins, thereby compensating for the addition of Green Bins.
Green Bins don’t take up a lot of space – they are a small addition that can make a big impact!
Myth #4: Taking the bin out takes up valuable work time
Adding a green bin in the office does not mean you will be stuck dealing with it.
As mentioned above, our Team Members handle all pick up and drop off of bins, meaning your staff can focus on the day-to-day tasks of building your business.
Compost education is a big part of setting up this program – be sure to check out The Essential Guide to Kitchener Compost.
Myth #5: Composting attracts rodents
Green Bins have secure, lockable lids. That not only keeps foul smells contained, but protects your compost from rodents.
In fact, Green Bins are actually more effective at keeping rodents away than traditional, open top trash bins!
If you’re composting outdoors, it could be a different story. It’s important to remember that composting at work is simply a method of separating food waste from the rest of your garbage in order for it to be properly disposed of.
When you think about it that way, there’s no need to worry about rodents if they’re not already a problem in the office!
Myth #6: Using a green bin doesn’t make a major difference
When you throw your food away with the rest of your garbage, not only do you have to pay to have this waste removed from the premises, but it also costs taxpayers to maintain landfills in the area.
On top of that, landfills are massive producers of methane, a harmful gas that is rapidly accelerating global climate change.
According to Forbes, “When food is disposed in a landfill it rots and becomes a significant source of methane – a potent greenhouse gas with 21 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. Growing and transporting the food that goes to waste emits as much carbon pollution as 39 million passenger vehicles.”
Office composting is one way everyone in the office can feel better – knowing they’re doing their part to make the world a better place!
For more information, check out the “What Goes In My Green Bin?”
Workplace composting can have a huge impact in terms of reducing your company’s carbon footprint
Office Composting Will Bust All Your Composting Myths!
The Office Compost Program comes from a locally owned and operated family business, so we treat our customers like we would treat our own family – with respect.
We value integrity, consistency, and thoroughness with all of our clients. Our reputation is important to us, so we guarantee all of our services.
“We are currently using the compost program and they have been great as our company has grown and our usage increased. Very friendly and terrific service!”
— Julie G., Big Road
If for any reason you are not completely satisfied, simply contact us and we will get back to you within 24 hours to address your concern at no additional cost.
Composting and The Three R’s
“The Three R’s” has become part of the waste management over the years, referring of course to “reduce,” “reuse” and “recycle.” Composting provides a way to incorporate the three R’s into one, and we can help – contact us today to find out how!
Reduce
Food scraps and yard waste make up about 30% of what we send to landfills. Not only does it all take up space, this waste releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Washington Post writes that cutting down on food waste “represents one of the greatest possibilities for individuals, companies and communities to contribute to reversing global warming and at the same time feed more people, increase economic benefits and preserve threatened ecosystems.”
Composting allows for an alternate waste management stream for food waste, thereby reducing not only the amount of trash you send to the landfill, but also the cost of having it picked up.
Reducing food waste is one of the most important things we can do to reduce our carbon footprints
Reuse
It may seem strange to talk about reusing food waste, but composting does the trick.
Let’s use the Office Composting Program as an example.
After signing up, you receive a Green Bin to collect all your organic waste and compostable materials. All the same items that you would Green Bin at home can be put in the Green Bin in your office. This includes:
Food scraps
Coffee grinds
Tea bags
Paper towels
Tissues
These compostable items will be picked up weekly by a Team Member, and replaced with a fresh Green Bin.
The collected organic material enters the compost stream in one of four ways; it is donated to local neighbourhood garden compost piles, sent to the Region of Waterloo’s Compost facility, sent to Davidson Environmental, or used at Kitchener Clean’s Worm Farm, where it becomes worm castings (a high grade fertilizer).
The re-usability of food waste isn’t immediate, but comes a bit later during the composting process, where it becomes a valuable resource for regeneration!
Recycle
When we think of recycling, we picture adding paper products to the blue bin. Did you know newspaper, cardboard, and other paper products are safe to use when composting? It’s true!
Here are a few benefits of doing so, with help from Den Garden:
Shredded paper provides an excellent source of carbon, a requirement in the composting process.
When using shredded paper for your compost bin, it helps to increase moisture absorption and water retention.
Shredded paper helps to bulk up the volume of soil.
Worms thrive when you use shredded paper!
Thanks to recycling initiatives, the majority of paper and inks used today are virtually contaminant free. Compost produced with paper almost always contains less contaminants than compost produced using yard trimmings!
For more, be sure to read about our Compost Program.
You can add bits of shredded paper to your compost instead of tossing it in
the blue bin
Trust Us to Help Incorporate The Three R’s Into Your Composting!
The Office Compost Program was developed by a locally owned and operated family cleaning business, so we treat our customers like we would treat our own family – with respect.
We value integrity, consistency, and thoroughness with all of our clients.
Our reputation is important to us, so we guarantee all of our services. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied, simply contact us and we will return within 24 hours to address your concern at no additional cost.
To get started with an office compost program, simply contact us today for a free quote. We will always stand behind our work.
“We are currently using the compost program and they have been great as our company has grown and our usage increased. Very friendly and terrific service!”
– Julie Gillespie
Read more customer reviews here!
The Essential Guide to Kitchener Compost
This Essential guide to Kitchener compost will help you learn more about composting in the Kitchener area. Contact Kitchener Clean to learn more about our office compost program.
If you don’t know when your green bin will be picked up, you can check the Region’s interactive waste collection map to see when your neighbourhood in on the schedule.
Green bins are provided to all new homeowners in Kitchener. If you need a replacement or additional green bins (free of charge), you can visit the Waste Management Administration offices:
Cambridge: 201 Savage Drive, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Waterloo: 925 Erb Street West (Gate 1), Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If your green bin is broken, please bring it when you pick up your replacement as it can be recycled!
What goes in the green bin?
The Kitchener compost program has specific guidelines as to what you can put in your green bin. Be sure, therefore, to consider the following when filling it up:
All food scraps including bones, peelings, shells, baking and cooking ingredients, spoiled, raw, and cooked food (remove all packaging and stickers)
Small amounts of liquids (no more than one cup per green bin)
Some paper products, such as paper plates, paper towels, facial tissue, greasy take-out paper packaging, paper baking cups, shredded paper.
To keep the process more manageable, you can add liner bags to help keep your bin cleaner, which eliminates the need to hose it down every week.
There are two choices for lining your green bin:
Paper liner bags: Paper liner bags made specifically for the green bin are available at local grocery and hardware stores. These bags do not need certification logos. Some have a shiny cellulose lining to give them more wet strength; these are safe to use in our program. As well, you can use any other type of paper bag as a liner, such as paper take-out bags.
Certified compostable plastic (CCP) liner bags: These bags are the only type of plastic that is allowed in our Green Bin program (and accepted by our organics processor), and are identified by specific logos.
Liner bags must have at least one of these logos.
Image source: Greenbinbelleville.ca
Kitchener compost – where it all ends up
Collection crews drop your green bin organics at Region of Waterloo facilities. From there, it’s all loaded into large trucks and shipped in bulk to Guelph’s Organic Waste Processing facility.
At Guelph’s facility, your organics are mixed with other organics, shredded, and put into a series of tunnels to compost. The conditions in the tunnels are monitored to maximize the breakdown of the organics with oxygen!
After three to four weeks, the compost is screened to separate out any plastics. This screened compost is formed into long piles called “windrows” and is monitored for several weeks while it matures indoors.
After an additional screening, the compost is tested to ensure it meets quality standards. The high-grade finished compost is finally sold to local farmers, who add it to their fields to grow more food.
How to compost at work
As mentioned above, the Kitchener compost program is for smaller dwellings. If you’re in an office setting, you can still participate with Kitchener Clean’s office composting program.
To begin, will receive a green bin to collect all your organic waste and compostable materials, just like at home. All the same items that you would Green Bin at home can be put in the Organic Waste bin in the office. These compostable items will be picked up weekly by an Office Care Technician, at which time you’ll also get a fresh bin.
The organic material collected enters the compost stream in one of four ways: donated to local neighbourhood garden compost piles, sent to the Region’s Compost facility, sent to Davidson Environmental, or used at Kitchener Clean’s Worm Farm where it becomes worm castings (a high grade fertilizer).
As an added bonus, clients can receive a portion of the worm castings generated to be used by any garden enthusiasts on staff! For more, read our articles on how to start composting at the office, and some of the benefits of participating in the program.
Get started with an office compost program today!
Kitchener Compost in the Office Is Possible With Kitchener Clean!
Kitchener Clean is a locally owned and operated family business. We treat our customers like we would treat our own family – with respect.
We value integrity, consistency, and thoroughness with all of our clients.
From its inception, Kitchener Clean has been an environmentally friendly office care company. We use non-toxic cleaning methods to keep you, your staff, and your clients breathing cleaner!
Our reputation is important to us, so we guarantee all of our services. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied, simply contact us and we will return within 24 hours to address your concern at no additional cost.
How to Use Compost as Garden Soil
Introducing a quick tutorial on how to use compost as garden soil. Kitchener Clean proudly offers an “Office Compost Program” to businesses in the Waterloo Region.
According to Planet Natural, “Compost is added to your garden as a soil amendment to improve structure, buffer pH, increase the population of micro- and macro-organisms, and add organic material on which soil organisms feed.”
In other words, compost improves your garden’s capacity to hold water and nutrients, and increases the activity of beneficial yet unseen organisms.
Compost is generally spread on top garden beds, but can be worked in through tilling to improve the way soil particles fit together, as well as the way air and water move through them. You can also use it on lawns and in pots, baskets and containers. If you have enough of it, it makes an excellent mulch.
The great video below will show you more about how to use compost as garden soil.
What is compost, anyways?
You may be wondering what we mean by “compost” in the first place.
According to the University of Florida’s “Living Green” program, “composting is the biological decomposition of organic waste such as food or plant material by bacteria, fungi, worms and other organisms under controlled aerobic (occurring in the presence of oxygen) conditions. The end result of composting is an accumulation of partially decayed organic matter called humus.”
Additionally, composting with worms – also known as vermiculture – results in nutrient-loaded worm castings.
Here, then, we’re talking about taking that decomposed organic waste and the act of spreading it on top of your garden soil to help your plants grow without resorting to harmful chemical fertilizers.
Composting involves the natural breakdown of organic waste.
What can be composted?
In Kitchener, Ontario, for example, green bins full of organic waste are collected from single-family homes, legal duplexes, eligible townhouse units, and small apartment buildings (6 units or less) every week. Here’s what can be tossed in the green compost bin:
All food scraps including bones, peelings, shells, baking and cooking ingredients, spoiled and raw and cooked food (remove all packaging, stickers)
Small amounts of liquids – no more than one cup per green bin.
Some paper products, such as paper plates, paper towels, facial tissue, greasy take-out paper packaging, paper baking cups, shredded paper
Businesses, unlike private residences, don’t have access to any formal composting programs, meaning all waste is put into the garbage and sent to the landfill. While cleaning for clients, Kitchener Clean noticed a large volume of organic waste generated in offices and discarded into the garbage. For example, one client with staff of only 20-25 generated over 600 pounds of organic waste in a single year!
The organic material collected enters the compost stream in one of four ways; donated to local neighbourhood garden compost piles; sent to the Region’s Compost facility; sent to a facility that disposes of organic waste called Davidson Environmental; or used at Kitchener Clean’s Worm Farm where it becomes worm castings (a high grade fertilizer).
Green bins full of organic waste are collected each week to create compost for garden soil.
Start Office Composting Today!
From our inception, we have always been an environmentally responsible company. While cleaning for our clients, we noticed large volumes of organic waste generated by offices and simply being discarded into the garbage.
In the Waterloo Region, businesses, unlike residences, don’t have access to any formal composting programs. This means that all waste is put into the garbage and sent to the landfill – even food waste.
That’s why Kitchener Clean launched the Office Compost Program. We proudly offer our office composting services to businesses across the Waterloo Region, helping businesses to affect climate change in a positive way.
Learn more
Office Kitchen Compost Bin Etiquette
An office kitchen compost is a great initiative that can benefit all involved. Kitchener Clean’s Office Compost Program is tailor-made for today’s professional environment.
An office kitchen compost plan is a great initiative that carries with it a responsibility to make it a good experience for all involved. Kitchener Clean’s Office Compost Program is tailor-made for today’s professional environment – contact us today to get started!
Once you kickstart an office kitchen compost within your company, it’s a good idea to set up some basic standards of etiquette. This ensures greater participation in the program, as well as elevated morale among the employees. Here’s a few practical tips:
1. bin maintenance
Having the same compost bin for too long can create an unpleasant odour in the office. It’s important to swap out the bin frequently to help avoid this issue. Kitchener Clean, for example, will come to your office weekly or twice weekly to empty and replace your bins!
Additionally, you want to make sure you close the bin once you have deposited your food waste to seal the potential odour leakage.
You may also line the bin with an approved bag. In the Region of Waterloo, that includes:
Paper liner bags: Available at local grocery and hardware stores. These bags do not need certification logos. Some have a shiny cellulose lining to give them more wet strength. You can also use any other type of paper bag as a liner, such as paper take-out bags.
Certified compostable plastic (CCP) liner bags: These bags must have at least one of the logos below.
Line your bins only with approved bags.
2. Know what goes in the office kitchen compost bin
Everyone needs to know what can go in the green bin. Here’s a for your office list, according the Region of Waterloo’s Green Bin information page:
All food scraps including bones, peelings, shells, baking and cooking ingredients, spoiled and raw and cooked food (remove all packaging, stickers)
Small amount (no more than one cup per green bin) of liquids (Use our Cooking oil drop-off program)
Some paper products, such as paper plates, paper towels, facial tissue, greasy take-out paper packaging, paper baking cups, shredded paper
Be sure to type up this list and print it out for all to see. We recommend offering incentives or rewards to those who lead the way in participating in the program.
Do your part and everyone succeeds!
Knowing what can and can’t go in the green bin is key.
3. Maintain good bin-to-staff ratio
Unlike private residences, businesses don’t typically have access to any formal office kitchen compost programs, meaning all waste is put into the garbage and sent to the landfill. It may not seem like it, but all that garbage can add up. For example. one Kitchener Clean client with staff of only 20-25 generated over 600 pounds of organic waste in just one year!
If you have a large office with many employees and eating areas, you want to make sure your bin capacity is in line with the demand. If the bin is too small or not easily accessible, it won’t promote healthy participation. For more on how to get started composting at the office, click here.
Make sure there’s enough bin space to accommodate everyone in the office.
Let Kitchener Clean Set Up Your Office Kitchen Compost
Kitchener Clean is a locally owned and operated family business. We treat our customers like we would treat our own family – with respect.
We value integrity, consistency, and thoroughness with all of our clients.
From its inception, Kitchener Clean has been an environmentally friendly office care company – we also use non-toxic cleaning methods to keep you, your staff, and your clients breathing cleaner!
Our reputation is important to us, so we guarantee all of our services. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied, simply contact us and we will return within 24 hours to address your concern at no additional cost. If we haven’t responded to any client communication within 24 hours of receiving it, we will offer you a free week of Office Care. We guarantee it.
“Kitchener Clean was chosen among multiple companies offering to provide services for our office. After months of ongoing service since then, we’ve always found them to be courteous, flexible, and of course, doing a good job of keeping the place in good shape!”
– Jason Hammond
Read more customer reviews here!
The Office Compost Program is available on its’ own or combined with a weekly Office Care and Cleaning service for greater savings!
What goes in my green bin?
Office Composting Waterloo: Learn how you can become a more eco-friendly office through office composting, saving energy, choosing reusable items, and more!
In Ontario, the Region of Waterloo has specific guidelines as to what can and can’t go in the green bin. Kitchener Clean can help get you set up with an office compost program – contact us today!
The following list pertains to residential green bin collection, but is relevant for office compost as well:
All food scraps including bones, peelings, shells, baking and cooking ingredients, spoiled and raw and cooked food (remove all packaging and stickers)
Small amounts of liquids (no more than one cup per green bin)
Some paper products, such as paper plates, paper towels, facial tissue, greasy take-out paper packaging, paper baking cups, shredded paper
Houseplants, cut flowers waste, natural greenery from wreaths (remove pots, wire, decorations)
Wooden toothpicks
For those outside the Waterloo Region, look up your city’s website and check for recycling and compost guidelines for your specific area.
It’s important to ask “what goes in my green bin?” before filling it up.
What doesn’t go in my green bin?
Certified compostable plastic bags can be used to line your green bin, but no other compostable plastic products (such as cutlery, cups, etc.) are allowed in the green bin. You are also not permitted to add any of the following:
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Office composting programs help answer “What goes in my green bin?”
Workplaces don’t typically have access to a formal composting program. In the Kitchener area, for example, most food waste is put into general garbage and sent to the landfill. Kitchener Clean has developed, and now proudly offers, an Office Compost Program to businesses in the Waterloo Region.
In today’s economic climate, businesses need to not only be financially sustainable, but environmentally and socially sustainable as well. From its inception, Kitchener Clean has been an environmentally friendly office care company. While cleaning for our clients, we noticed a large volume of organic waste generated in offices and discarded into the garbage.
For example, one Kitchener Clean client with staff of only 20-25 generated over 600 pounds of organic waste in just one year! That’s a lot of waste that does not need to end up in a landfill. That is why this program has been initiated.
According to the David Suzuki Foundation, about 20% of Canada’s methane emissions – a potent greenhouse gas greatly contributing to global warming – come from landfills. By diverting food waste from landfills, businesses are saving money in regards to garbage pickup, and reducing their carbon footprint in the process. A win-win!
An Office Compost Program will save your business in regards to waste removal, and can be combined with a weekly Office Care and Cleaning service for even greater savings. Not only that, but employees will feel better about doing their part to help the environment and feel pride in knowing they work for a company that cares.
Your business can reduce its carbon footprint by adopting an office composting program.
How the office composting program works
After signing up for the Office Compost Program, you will receive a Green Bin to collect all your organic waste and compostable materials in accordance with the guidelines mentioned above. These compostable items will be picked on a weekly or twice weekly basis by one of our Team Members, and replaced by a fresh clean Green Bin.
The organic material collected enters the compost stream in one of four ways: donated to local neighbourhood garden compost piles, sent to the Region’s Compost facility, sent to Davidson Environmental, or used at Kitchener Clean’s Worm Farm, where it becomes worm castings (a high grade fertilizer).
To get started, simply contact Kitchener Clean today for a free quote.
Trust Kitchener Your Office Composting Inquiries!
Kitchener Clean is a locally owned and operated family business, so we treat our customers like we would treat our own family – with respect. We value integrity, consistency, and thoroughness with all of our clients.
Our reputation is important to us, so we guarantee all of our services. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied, simply contact us and we will return within 24 hours to address your concern at no additional cost.
We even guarantee our response time. If we haven’t responded to any client communication within 24 hours of receiving it, we will offer you a free week of Office Care. That is how strongly we feel about the importance of communication and customer satisfaction. We will always stand behind our work. We guarantee it.