Info-Environment

Backyard Composting

Backyard composting must be carried out only in a container equipped with a proper-fitting lid. This container must be located behind your home.

Compostable materials

• Sawdust, woodchips
• Shredded branches and twigs 
• Crushed eggshells 
• Fruit and vegetable waste (fruits, whole vegetables or skins) 
• Grass, placed in thin layers, without any weedkiller or insecticide 
• Green waste (leaves, gardening refuse, etc.) 
• Tea bags, coffee grounds, coffee filters 
• Soil

Prohibited materials

• Pet droppings and litterboxes
• Animal waste (meat leftovers) 
• Fats and oils (oil, cooking fat, etc.) 
• Weeds containing seeds 
• Paper and cardboard 
• Diseased plants 
• Dairy products 
• All non-decomposable items (plastic, glass, etc.)

Through the Fonds Éco IGA, the Maison de l'environnement has received a subsidy, in the form of 250 Earth Machine backyard composters, and so will be able to offer them to residents for only $13.50—a fraction of the cost.

These backyard composters may be obtained at Maison de l'environnement. For more information, phone 514 765-VERT (8378).

A training session on backyard composting will be offered free of charge to all interested residents before they receive their backyard composter.

This project has been made possible through the contribution of the Fonds Éco IGA and Earth Day.

Free distribution of compost

Ville de Montréal distributes compost twice a year: in the spring (early May) and again in the fall (early October). Maximum one cubic metre per resident. Bring your shovel and sturdy containers.

Distribution dates and locations are announced in the media, at Accès Montréal offices and at the Bureau Accès Verdun .