Backyard Composting

Items for Sale

Composters and digesters are available for purchase by Peterborough County Residents at the Planning and Public Works Department Office, located at 310 Armour Road, in Peterborough. 

Prices: 

They may also be available at your local Township office. Please contact them directly to ensure they have stock. 

Garbage to Garden: Seasonal delivery & Installation program

Need help with installation? Peterborough County offers a free seasonal program that covers delivery and installation when you purchase a composter or digester from us. 

Requests can be submitted through this online form (May to August): Garbage to Garden Registration Form 

Is a composter or digester right for you? 

Consider:

• Do you garden regularily?
• Do you want finished compost for your soil?
• Are you willing to compost pet waste or food scraps like meat and dairy?
• Are you concerned about pests or animals?
• Do you have space to dig and install a unit?

Choose a composter if you want finished compost for gardens and don't mind some maintenance.

Choose a digester if you want low-maintenance waste diversion and want to add a wider range of food waste. 

Check out the Frequently Asked Questions about Composters and Digesters!

Check out the information sheets below to determine whether a backyard composter or digester will work best for your needs. 

Composter Information Sheet
Digester Information Sheet

How to install a Digester

Choose a sunny, well-drained location and follow these steps to install your backyard digester:

1. Pick a spot that is well-drained, gets as much sun as possible, and is easy to access year-round. Make sure there are no cables, pipes, or tree roots where you plan to dig. 
2. Dig a hole about 6 inches deep and slightly wider than the bottom of the digester. 
3. Place the digester in the hole to make sure it will sit level. 
4. In the middle of the hole, dig further down up to 3 feet deep.
5. Set the digester onto the ledge created by the first hole and ensure the bottom of the unit is below ground level. 
6. After installation, begin adding kitchen waste. For the first 4 to 6 weeks, limit the amount of meat, bones and fish while the digester gets established. 

Tip: If you need help with setup, Peterborough County offers free seasonal delivery and installation through the Garbage to Garden Program. 

What else can you do to reduce backyard waste?

We encourage grasscycling (also called mulching) as an easy and effective way to reduce backyard waste while keeping your lawn healthy and green. Grasscycling simply means leaving grass clippings on the lawn after mowing so they break down naturally and feed your soil. 

Why grasscycle?

• Saves time and money - no bagging, hauling, or extra fertilizer
• Reduces backyard waste
• Helps your lawn retain moisture, so you can water less
• Returns valuable nutrients to the soil for healthier grass

How to do it?

• Don't bag your clippings - leave them on the lawn
• Cut no more than one-third of the grass height at a time
• Mow when grass is dry to prevent clumping
• Set your mower high (about 3 inches)
• Keep mower blades sharp for a clean cut

A mulching mower is not required - any mower can grasscycle.