BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON – The Village of Canton’s composting program has experienced some “ups and downs, specifically after a spring storm leveled the compost shelter on Lincoln Street.

But Deputy Mayor Carol Pynchon wants the public to know composting is alive and well.

“I feel the village is working hard to stabilize the project we have now,” said Pynchon. “We want the public to know we are trying.”

Village Superintendent Timothy Bacon told board members that repairs to the collection facility are progressing. That work includes pouring a new concrete slab before erecting a new structure and installing a pulling system to assist in opening the lid.

Pynchon also pointed out that the scraps contain a lot of contamination, mainly plastic.

“There has not been a lot of outreach because of the problems,” Pynchon said. “I think we need a fresh start.”

She also mentioned the importance of obtaining grant money to supplement the composting program. Additional funding could create a contract for hauling and possibly purchasing a dedicated vehicle to haul food scraps.

“We will continue conversations with the town,” she said.

It was also noted there is talk about having food scrap sites at the Canton Farmers Market with informational handouts and the sale of bins and buckets to transport composting materials.

The food wasted project was started in 2019, inspired by members of the Canton Sustainability Committee.

Acceptable materials include fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, cut or dried flowers, houseplants, rice, pasta, bread and cereal, egg and nut shells, and soiled brown paper products.

No meat, chicken, fish, greasy food scraps fat, oil, animal waste, litter and bedding, coal or charcoal, and biodegradable/compostable plastics. No plastic or Styrofoam.

After depositing food waste, people are asked to add a scoop of wood shavings located next to the waste receptacle, then take all plastic containers and other trash with them to dispose of at home.

For composting information is available on the village website - https://cantonny.gov/cantons-food-waste-recovery-continues-new-composting-site-sought/