Composting
The County of Brant encourages residents to compost, helping to reduce waste and support a healthier environment for our community.
On this page:
How to Compost
The recipe for composting success is easy! Greens + Browns + Water + Air = Compost
Browns = materials high in carbon (e.g. dried leaves, shredded paper)
Greens = materials high in nitrogen (e.g. grass clippings, vegetables)
Composting breaks down your household food and garden materials into a rich type of soil. It's a great way to reduce your household waste and create a natural fertilizer, all at the same time.
| Step 1: Find your spot |
| Find a suitable spot for your composter. Select a level, sunny area that has good drainage and is convenient to access year-round. |
| Step 2: Make your base |
| Once your composter is in place, add a base layer of twigs and small branches in the bottom of the composter. This will let air to enter the compost and allow it to drain. |
| Step 3: Add in layers |
| Add materials in alternating layers. The ideal mix is 1 - 2 parts kitchen scraps (greens) and one part yard waste (browns). Add some finished compost or garden soil to your composter. This will introduce the necessary microorganism needed for the composting process and to help reduce odour. |
| Step 4: Turn and Moisten |
| Mix up your compost regularly to increase air circulation in your compost pile, which needs oxygen in order to break down. The compost pile should be kept moist, like a damp sponge. If your pile looks too dry, add a little bit of water. |
Purchase a Composter
Composters are available for purchase through the County of Brant.
Purchase a composter at the following locations:
- The Biggars Lane Landfill and the Paris Transfer Station.
- View the Landfill and Transfer Station webpage for hours and locations.
- The Burford and Paris Customer Service offices.
- View the Customer Service Locations webpage for hours and location
- Please note that all sales of composters are final; returns, exchanges, and refunds are not accepted.
| Item | Price | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Earth Machine Composter (PDF) | $30 (including tax) |  |
| Green Cone Composter webpage | $75 (including tax) |  |
Tips for Reducing Waste in Your Yard
- Use a pitchfork or shovel to aerate your compost pile. Some hardware and home improvement stores also carry compost aerators designed specifically for this purpose.
- Set aside some of your fall leaves for use in your compost during the spring and summer months.
- Compost is ready to use when it is dark in color, crumbles easily, and has an earthy scent.
- Consider using a second composter — one for actively adding new materials and another for finishing compost.
- Chop or shred materials before adding them to the pile to help them break down more quickly.
- Install a rain barrel to collect and reuse rainwater — a cost-effective way to water gardens, especially those enriched with composted soil.
- Practice grasscycling by leaving grass clippings on your lawn after mowing — it returns valuable nutrients to the soil and reduces the need for fertilizers.