Posted on 06/20/2012, 1:48 pm, by mySteinbach

For the first time in rural Manitoba, an organic waste collection service will be offered to local residents. This joint initiative between the Village of St. Pierre-Jolys and the Rural Municipality of De Salaberry, in partnership with CDEM and Compo-Stages Manitoba Services Co-op, promises to reduce the amount of waste transported to landfill sites, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for residents involved in composting by working together to make our communities a better place to live,” said Ron Musick, Reeve for the RM of De Salaberry. “We are looking forward to seeing the results and being able to save money and resources while, at the same time, protecting the environment.”

The Village of St. Pierre-Jolys’ solid waste collection vehicle will be collecting organic matter and will be disposing of the waste at the provincially certified composting site, located at the De Salaberry regional landfill. Compo-Stages Manitoba Services Co-op will then transform the organic waste into a high quality compost using its state-of-the-art windrow turner.

This new initiative is the result of a 2008 study on greenhouse gas emissions and many community consultations. The program is funded in part by the province’s Community-Led Emissions Reduction program (CLER) and by Environment Canada.

“It is encouraging to see our municipalities taking steps to reduce organic waste with the establishment of this regional compost site,” said Ron Lemieux, Minister of Local Government. “Our government is committed to helping communities divert waste destined for our landfills and I commend St. Pierre-Jolys and De Salaberry for participating in this proactive waste reduction initiative.”

The collection service will begin June 26th in St. Pierre-Jolys and be extended to communities in De Salaberry throughout summer and fall.