Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 31/05) - Building the compost cell in the city landfill site would be easier if wasn't being contaminated with other trash, says an on-site employee.

"The mountain is growing," said Dean Tarbett, acting manager, describing the new compost cell.

"The only unfortunate part is that we can't keep track of people who throw plastic bags in it," said Tarbett.

The new cell site was established this summer as an alternative to a site located near the area for waste wood.

"That got so contaminated; we just had to get rid of it," Tarbett said.

Greg Kehoe, director of public works, said the new cell area is modest, but people are responding with clippings and the pile is growing.

"We're also trying to encourage people not to leave compost at the curb," said Kehoe.

"Grass clippings get into the hydraulics of the compactor in the truck. Conversely, it will get stuck in the baler at the landfill site," Kehoe said.

Tarbett said the landfill doesn't have the manpower needed to sort compost from regular landfill waste.

If the compost doesn't become too contaminated with other debris, it will be used build a topsoil layer for grass and trees when the landfill closes.