Organics and Compost

The County of Peterborough and the Township of North Kawartha have installed Moloks at the Anstruther Transfer Station, for the year-round collection of organic material (see list below). Between 30% and 50% of the contents of most garbage bags is organic material. Reduce your waste by backyard composting or participating in this organics program.

Please use paper bags or newspaper to wrap your organics, or better yet, leave them loose and place your unwanted food items directly in the Moloks. Absolutely no plastic, including biodegradable or compostable bags, can go in the Moloks. 

Acceptable Material:

• Baked goods
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Cooked food
• Dairy products
• Eggs and shells
• Fruits and vegetables
• Leftover food
• Meat, fish, and bones
• Tea bags

Non-acceptable Material:

• Paper towel, tissue, napkins
• Kitty litter
• Dog feces
• Food still in its container/wrapping
• Sanitary products, diapers
• "Compostable" plastic products
• Paper coffee cups

Please note that any of the above, unacceptable items may result in our organics loads being rejected from the composting facility. This could result in fines, and require the load to be sent to the landfill. Please help us ensure the viability of this program, by observing the rules.

How to Purchase Recycling Containers

Residents wishing to participate in this County-led program can purchase organics and compost recycling containers at the Municipal Office.

• Traditional Aerobic Composter - $30.00
• Anaerobic Digester - $60.00

Backyard Composter

Using a backyard composter is a great way to manage your waste at home – and a way to produce your own compost. Leaves, yard waste, and some food waste (e.g., coffee grounds, vegetable peelings, and fruit scraps) can be composted in your backyard with a composter. It benefits the environment by reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and reducing the production of greenhouse gases.

You can check with Peterborough GreenUP for helpful advice on composting. It is recommended that you DO NOT put meat, fish, bones, fatty foods or dairy products in your backyard composter as they can cause odours and attract pests. “Composting completes the food cycle by returning plant scrap nutrients to the soil,” states Tegan Moss, Executive Director of GreenUP. “Many gardeners refer to compost as ‘black gold', mostly due to its dark, earthy colour and nutrient-rich content that is a valuable addition to your beds.”