National Composting Conference Opens in Halifax

ENVIRONMENT/LABOUR--National Composting Conference Opens in Halifax

More than 300 composting advocates from across Canada and around the world are in Halifax this week to see Nova Scotia's composting in action and to participate in the 12th annual National Composting Conference.

The conference includes tours of composting facilities and more than 50 presentations discussing leading-edge composting initiatives and research. Environment and Labour Minister David Morse opens the conference today, Sept. 19.

"Nova Scotia has made giant strides in the composting of organic materials," said Mr. Morse. "I am so proud, on behalf of the government of Nova Scotia, to welcome delegates from around the globe to see how we have met our goals and to learn from our experiences."

Nova Scotia remains the only province in Canada to have banned compostable organic material from landfills. This has led to the development of composting facilities across the province. Nova Scotia also has the lowest per-capita disposal rate in Canada for solid waste.

The Composting Council of Canada chose Halifax as its conference destination this year specifically to show composting in action. The conference runs from Sept. 19 to 21.

"With organics representing well over one-third of the materials usually destined for landfills, the need is there for every community across Canada to take action and make composting a reality," said Susan Antler, executive director of the council. "Nova Scotia is walking the talk. And we are glad to be here to help motivate everyone to move full gear into composting."