Yard Trimmings Collection on the North Shore Many of you have enjoyed the new, weekly yard-trimmings collection service over the last year. This program allows North Shore resi- dents ta place an unlimited number of clear bags or tied bundles of branches, leaves and Dne Year! Currently, several local hardware stores - and nurseries sell a variety of backyard ~ composters. The NSRP also carries them all year long at the North Shore Recycling . ‘Drop-off Depot at 28 Riverside Drive in North Vancouver. Any day of ‘the angele ai any time of year, the Garden Cou backyard composter is available for $45,{ 56; accepted on site). You can also build your own composter grass clippings out at the curb for collection each week between March Ist and November 30th. In 1998, over 5,700,000 kilograms were diverted from landfill by the yard wimmings collection program. While this service may be common knowl- edge to many residents, what happens to all these bags and bundles after they're placed in the Yard Trimmings collection ruck is a bit of mystery to most. Ultimately, this material is turned back into dark, rich compost and soft mulch for creating excellent soil amendments and general garden- ing mulch. Fraser Richmond BioCycle is the company contracted to perform this feat of nature, with a litde help from a lot of sophisti- cated machinery. The collection tucks first take their full loads of the valuable organic cargo to the Chipping Yard at the North Shore Transfer Station at 30 Riverside Drive in North Vancouver. These loads are then transferred into large hauling crucks and transported to Fraser Richmond BioCycle'’s compost process- ing facility in Richmond. The yard trimmings are unloaded and sorted and mixed with other organic loads of bark mulch or sawdust to help make the right blend of organic ingredients to speed the composting process along. The materials are then laid out in long rows or giant piles taller than a house to begin the composting process. Over several months the rows and piles are cured to allow air (oxygen) to reach all areas of the composting matter, This speeds up the process and creates dark, soft, nutrient rich cornpost. The finished prod- uct can be seen, and purchased, back at the North Shore Transfer Station. Boch compost- ed bark mulch and finished compost (with or without sand added) are available by the cubic yard or smaller bags. Call Fraser Richmond BioCycle at 924-0261 for more information and pricing, Upcoming Evenis GVRD Waste Reduction Forum Environmental Procurement April 14, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. GVRD, 4330 Kingsway, Burnaby NSRP General Education Tocm Meeting April.14, 7:00 10 9:00 p.m. NSRB, 148 East 2nd St.North Van. Furth Week Display April 19 - 23 District of North Vancouver = Municipal Hall ©. ee 355 West Queens Road, North Van. Earth Day April 22 Plant Sale. . April 24, 10:00 am. to 1:00 p.m. - . Park. & Tilford Gardens: ::- : 330 Brooksbank Ave. North Van. woe Too Much Green Stuff? Sometimes there's just too much. Too many leaves, grass clippings and branches that just won't fic into your backyard com- poster, too much grass to leave on the lawn, and far too much to bag or bundle and leave at the curb for the weekly yard trimmings col- lection ruck Dont throw ic in the garbage. Don't throw it in the ravine. There is an alternative! North Shore residents may drop off gacbage-free loads of yard trimmings and using cedar lumber and wire mesh (the wire mesh helps to keep them rodent- resistant), Contact the NSRP to receive a copy s of your own Home-Buile Composter two Compost pe ne Gardens to see com- Visit che West lstiio garden at 15th and 2 paths ee eth Vancouver Compost dtion "Gaiden inside Park 8 Tilford Gatigee hePark & Tilford Centre. clean wood waste at the Chipping Yard adja- cent to the North Shore Transfer Station. The material you can drop « off includes: * untreated, unpainted wood The first wip per day of up to 100 kilograms (220 pounds) will be accepted at no charge. Any additional material or trips are accept- ed at a charge of $6.50 per 100 iiloprams. Where is the Chipping Yard? Take your yard wimmings and wood waste to 30 Riverside Drive, which is just south of the Dollarton Highway, just east of the Second Narrows Bridge, and across the street from the North Shore Recycling Drop- Off Depot. Hours of operation are 8:60 - 5:00 Monday to Saturday and 10:60 - 5:00 on Sunday. Active backyard composters on display at at the North Vancouver Compost Demonstration Garden with Park & Tilford Gardens.