The Green Action Centre is a Winnipeg-based registered non-profit, non-governmental organization that works to champion green living. According to its website, The GAC “promotes greener and better living by sharing practical solutions and advocating for change”. In addition to celebrating events such as Waste Reduction Week, its provides resources and tips to homes and businesses.

The GAC is looking to help Winnipeggers live a more sustainable lifestyle. As part of Waste Reduction Week (October 21–27), it is hosting two composting workshops, one on backyard composting and another on vermicomposting.

“We want to celebrate waste reduction week,” Sylvie Hébert, Composting Coordinator, says. “One of the things that we focus on is waste reduction, and composting is part of waste reduction.”

The first workshop, to be held October 22, is designed as an introduction to backyard composting.

“Basically, we cover how to do it, what you need to start, why, the basics of the browns and the greens, [and] how to harvest your compost” Hébert says.

The October 23 workshop is an introduction to vermicomposting, which is poised to be more hands-on than the backyard workshop, with worms available for purchase by those attending.

“We’re going to be building worm bins that evening for those that want to buy kits” says Hébert.

Vermicomposting is a process by which organic waste is turned into natural fertilizer by red wriggler worms. It is a great alternative for those without a backyard, as it can be done indoors.

Registration is required for both events, which can be done online at greenactioncentre.ca prior to attendance.

Composting is a natural process wherein organic matter is converted into humus, a nutrient-rich earth-like substance. When mixed with garden soil, it is an excellent fertilizer that consistently produces high yields over a long period of time.

In contrast, while chemicals increase yields initially, they actually diminish them over time due to soil exhaustion. This is especially prevalent in other nations, where government subsidies helped encourage the widespread use of chemicals from the 1950s onwards.

In terms of costs, composting is a much cheaper alternative than synthetic fertilizers. Aside from a one-time investment in a bin – or in the case of vermicomposting, red wriggler worms – composting is virtually a free way of fertilizing soil while decreasing waste at the same time.

According to a July 2013 report by Statistics Canada, 56% of all households in Manitoba compost kitchen or yard waste. This puts us behind the national average of 61%.

Stats Canada also reported that 4.4 million tonnes of waste were diverted from landfills by Canadians through recycling or composting programs in 2008.

Waste Reduction Week began in the mid-1980s. It is organized by a number of non-profit environmental groups across Canada. These groups aim to improve awareness and provide resources to aid households and businesses in reducing waste in their day-to-day operations.

Published in Volume 68, Number 7 of The Uniter (October 16, 2013)