The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, is recognizing May 4-10 as International Compost Awareness Week. This year’s theme, Sustainable Communities Begin with Compost, encourages public awareness on the benefits of compost use and recycling organics, including food scraps and yard waste.

To align with this theme, the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) is announcing over $100,000 in funding to the latest recipients of the Community Waste Diversion Fund.

This fund provides a maximum $25,000 contribution to municipalities and local service districts for the implementation of community initiatives that identify new or enhance existing opportunities to divert waste from landfills.

This year, nine communities across Newfoundland and Labrador are receiving funding, many of them focusing on organics reduction projects, furthering efforts to reduce waste through composting and other sustainable practices. A full list of the 2024-25 recipients is provided in the backgrounder below.

In recognition of International Compost Awareness Week, MMSB and the Provincial Government encourage residents across the province to “think green” by composting at home and in your community – an easy way to support a more sustainable Newfoundland and Labrador.

The organization also partners with communities to offer backyard composting bins to residents at a reduced rate, along with larger community compost bins. Since its inception, over 36,000 compost bins have been distributed. This spring, over 560 bins were ordered across 12 communities and community groups. A list of participating communities is available on MMSB’s website.

To learn more about composting, follow MMSB social media channels or visit Rethink Waste NL.

Quotes
“During Compost Awareness Week, I encourage residents and communities across the province to get on board with composting. I also congratulate those communities who will be able to expand their waste initiatives through the Community Waste Diversion Fund. Thank you to the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board for continuing to help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians understand the benefits of composting, further strengthening our commitment to a sustainable future.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Nearly one-third of the waste we dispose of in Newfoundland and Labrador is organic matter. Composting is a simple yet powerful way for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to reduce waste and make a positive impact on the environment. MMSB is proud to support and work alongside communities across the province to take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future. We encourage everyone to ‘think green’ and embrace composting as a key part of that journey.”
Dermot Flynn
Chair, Multi-Materials Stewardship Board of Directors

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Learn more
Backyard Compost Bin Distribution Program

International Compost Awareness Week

Rethink Waste NL – Backyard Composting

Virtual Resources and Online Course

BACKGROUNDER

2024-25 Community Waste Diversion Fund Recipients

Community	Funding	Project
Eastport	$16,600	Organics – Leaf and yard waste reduction for the communities of Eastport, Salvage and Happy Adventure with the introduction of a woodchipper.
Gambo	$12,683	Organics – Leaf and yard waste reduction to reduce green waste disposal, promote sustainable landscaping practices and increase community participation in recycling with the introduction of a woodchipper.
Grand Bank	$15,700	Organics – Leaf and yard waste reduction for residents, community groups, non-profits, and neighboring communities with drop off opportunities and free mulch with the introduction of a woodchipper.
Grand Falls-Windsor	$ 7,700	Organics – Community composting with the introduction of 5 community tumblers to the community garden.
Lewisporte	$19,569	Organics – Leaf and yard waste reduction generated by both municipal operations and residential properties with the introduction of a woodchipper.
Miles Cove	$ 9,998	Infrastructure – Single use plastics and paper reduction with the introduction of a commercial dishwasher, dinnerware and flatware to eliminate the use of single use plastics and paper products at the town’s community facility.
Mount Pearl	$15,000	Recycling Re-Education Program – Delivery of a community challenge and the introduction of a “Curbside Crusader” character to increase recycling rates.
Placentia	$ 4,401	Indiscriminate Dumping – surveillance with the installation of six cellular license plate cameras in common dumping areas.
Trinity	$ 4,959	Infrastructure – Single use plastics reduction with the installation of an outdoor refillable water station to serve community events for residents and tourists alike.