The Town of Okotoks and Environment Canada are helping to promote the eco-friendly usage of compost.

This weekend residents can pick up compost for free from the Okotoks Operations Centre as all they need to do is bring a shovel and a way to haul it home.

Paul Lyons, waste services manager, says composting greatly reduces the effect food waste has on landfills.

"Food waste produces leachate and if that leaks into our groundwater then it will create contamination so getting food waste out of the landfill is priority for the Town," Lyons says.

Lyons says food waste contributes to methane production, which is 21 times more potent compared to carbon dioxide as an ozone depleting substance.

A large amount of garbage contains items that could be composted.

"Residential waste is composed of anywhere between 40 to 62 percent organic matter that we could compost," he says. "By composting what we're doing is we're reducing our waste to the landfill and we're reducing the impact on the landfill."

Lyons says many people use compost on their gardens. Benefits from using compost in yard care includes helping soil to hold moisture, discouraging weeds, adding nutrients, and reducing the need for toxic chemicals.

The free compost can be picked up from the Okotoks Operations Centre on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on a first come, first served basis.

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