Wednesday's event features demonstrations pertaining to building a compost windrow; aerated static pile composting; and showcasing screening equipment. (submitted photo/ Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council)

By Martin Martinson

Composting

Taking a fresh look at composting in the Battlefords

May 29, 2019 | 2:30 PM

The City of North Battleford Waste Management Facility is hosting Compost Field Day at the Western Development Museum and the city’s Compost Facility.

Landfill supervisor David Prescesky said while the Waste Reduction Council hosts the event annually, it takes place in various locations throughout the province, making it a rare occurrence to be held in the Battlefords.

“[The council] randomly goes around the province to have a look at the different facilities and just to show what’s out there [as far as new technology],” Prescesky said. “They show how easy it is to compost your materials. It also shows what your end product can be used for.”

Practical application of composting on a large scale is showcased, with the highlight being a demonstration of a composting machine via Alberta’s Komptech.

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For the landfill, the demonstration showcases on a large scale that composting can include more than just food products. The machine will process grass clippings, leaves, garden waste, and yard cleanup, offering a greener initiative in every sense of the word. The machine will screen the compost and separate the big things within it, offering a look at what the end product is following the screening process.

Prescesky said while he and those associated with the city’s compost facility are looking forward to watching the process in action, it would have none-the-less, been ideal to see a bit more rain prior to the demonstration.

“On a year like this where it’s dry and we haven’t had a lot of moisture, it doesn’t work as well,” Prescesky said. “You need moisture for the stuff to work because every week or two we turn the pile to aerate it and that adds oxygen to the pile and that helps get the fermentation going.”

In addition to the main event, the afternoon will feature a demonstration on practical backyard composting; an idea Prescesky encourages all to get involved with.

“Do as much as you possibly can,” he said on the topic of composting. “It’s important to reuse your materials and that’s the way the world is going more and more.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1