Composting in Action: What Canadian Cities and Indigenous Communities Can Teach Us

Canada’s cities, towns, and Indigenous communities are developing inspiring, scalable composting programs. To dig into the full picture, check out The Composting Landscape of Canadian Municipalities by Lark Researcher Madeline Roquemore.

Indigenous and Northern Leadership

Indigenous communities are pioneering innovative waste solutions:

• Chippewas of the Thames First Nation: Built a community garden-based compost system serving schools and band offices.

• Six Nations of the Grand River: Piloting micro anaerobic digestion units to create renewable energy and fertilizer locally.

  
  

These projects blend climate action with cultural values, advancing food sovereignty and environmental stewardship.

Municipal & Advocacy Partnerships

Organizations like the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and The Compost Council of Canada:

• Train local staff

• Certify compost products

• Offer funding support and advocacy

  
  

Together, these groups drive composting adoption nationwide.

Case Studies: Composting Success Across Canadian Cities

Let’s spotlight a few composting programs:

• Halifax, NS: Early curbside composting helped close its only landfill and cut 1.4 tonnes of CO₂e per resident annually.

• Montreal, QC: Opened a LEED Gold indoor composting facility with public viewing areas and education programs.

• Toronto, ON: Converts food waste into renewable natural gas and compost at two anaerobic digestion facilities.

• Vancouver, BC: Diverts over 400,000 tonnes annually through a coordinated regional and municipal system.

• Calgary, AB: With $33.7 million in joint funding, it’s expanding to process 160,000 tonnes per year and convert waste into energy.

  
  

Even small towns like Nelson, BC, are experimenting with FoodCyclers, countertop composters that reduce food waste by 90% at home.

These examples demonstrate that composting is more than just a policy idea. It’s a working system, rooted in community action.

In Conclusion

Across Canada, cities are pioneering diverse composting initiatives. This shows the adaptability and effectiveness of composting when Canadian communities tailor solutions to local needs, highlighting a path for broader national impact.