Ottawa’s green bins took a star turn at city hall Thursday, as Mayor Larry O’Brien shovelled nutrient-rich compost from the program onto the base of a tree as part of an Earth Day ceremony.
“I think this city is a winner, I think this city is on the right track, and I am delighted to be here this morning to put some of that beautiful compost on our local tree,” he said.
Nancy Schepers, deputy city manager of infrastructure services and community sustainability, cited the city’s green bin organic waste diversion program, as well as the existing blue and black bin programs and the purchase of hybrid buses as important steps to meeting the city’s sustainability goals.
Since the green bin program began in January, Schepers said, some 5,000 tonnes of organic material, the equivalent of about 500 truckloads’ worth, has already been diverted from area landfills. Some of the resulting compost will be used in city parks and flower beds.
