About Fundy Compost
We are part of the solution to preserve the environment for future generations.
Composting is seen by the engineering community as a waste processing method, which it is. It is seen as a process that has to be sped up and done indoors without fully comprehending the impact of this on the final product, the compost.
The founder of Fundy Compost, Walter Termeer, had a goal to make a product that is valuable for the gardener, landscaper, and farmer, and not just a by-product of waste processing. Since Walter’s passing, his son Alex has taken over the business to carry on his legacy.
Achieving this takes time and an understanding of soil biology, which is part of our focus. We make our product outdoors and slowly. This makes it more biologically diverse and a more effective product.
The History
Fundy Compost was started in 1995 by Walter Termeer.
While employed by Coastal BioAgresearch Ltd. Walter was part of the round table discussion organized by then Environment Minister Wayne Adams to figure out how Nova Scotians could get rid of landfill leachate problems.
Several action plans resulted from these discussions. One being people would have to pay to get rid of their waste, ‘you produce it, you pay for it’. As well, landfills would have to be lined to eliminate groundwater contamination and organic material kept out of the landfill. Composting was a solution, but in order for it to be economically viable, operators needed a tipping fee to cover the cost of making the compost.
At Coastal BioAgresearch Ltd., Walter led a 3 year research project on composting biosolids. It examined how effective composting was in eliminating pathogens from biosolids. Results showed composting to be a viable method.
In 1995 Walter obtained a contract with the municipality of Colchester. He proceeded to set up the composting site in Pleasant Valley to service the contract. In 1999 it expanded to include composting source separated organics (SSO) from East Hants, and in 2003 from Halifax as well.
In 2017 Fundy Compost stopped processing Colchester Biosolids. In 2018, Fundy Compost began a contract to compost Annapolis Valley Waste’s SSO.
Experts in Soil
Walter’s education and vast experience include a degree in Soil science from Dalhousie University (1989), a diploma in Plant Science from Nova Scotia Agricultural College (1985), two years as a research biologist at Agriculture Canada in Nappan, NS, three years as a research Biologist at Dalhousie, and three years as a consultant and research biologist at Coastal BioAgresearch Ltd. As well, Walter has over 20 years of exploration and experimentation with the making and selling of compost.
The Composting Process
There are several ways companies’ compost materials, ranging from engineered enclosed systems to stationary piles. Of the many methods used, we use a combination of static pile and windrow composting.
Composting is a thermophillic aerobic microbial process that transforms raw, organic waste into a humus-like substance. Composting is mother nature’s “forest litter” transformation at a higher speed.
The thermophillic microbes responsible for composting generate temperatures of up to 65° Celsius while the optimum temperature is 55°C.
The heat during this hot stage, which lasts for 3 – 5 months, destroys pathogens, fly larvae and weed seeds.
Static Pile Compost Storage
Compostables are delivered by truck and stored in large outdoor piles waiting to be processed. Additional carbon is added to reduce odour generation.
Composted horse manure is spread on fresh rows to minimize odour.
Windrows
The mixture of organic material is placed in large rows (12′ high by 24′ wide) in a triangle format to shed rainfall. In order to keep the optimal microbial activity required for high heat, turning the pile is necessary. Turning is performed by an excavator when the pile needs to be mixed to reintroduce air and to make the product uniform.
In prior years a purpose built windrow turner was used. It broke the plastic into small particles which were impossible to screen out. We switched to turning by excavators to keep the plastic in larger pieces so it can be screened out more effectively.
On that note, it would be immeasurably helpful if no one put any kind of plastic, compostable or otherwise in their green bin!!
Gathering the Windrows to be processed
The compost is brought indoors for screening. This is done in order to screen in poor weather and prevent plastic debris from blowing around in the yard.
Screening
The compost is screened through a half inch screen mesh. This removes 99.5% of the contamination. The compost will still contain some contamination such as small pieces of plastic or very rarely a piece of glass. It meets the class A criteria for compost quality. The oversize material passes across a belt above which are two vacuum pipes that suck up film plastic. As well, two manual pickers remove heavy debris. The remaining oversized material is returned to a new compost pile to continue it’s journey towards compost.
The Final Product
Our compost is aged like fine cheese or wine and is over one year of age before it is available for sale. We are so proud of our compost and its quality, we named it Fundy Gold.
The Life Inside Compost
This handful of compost has more organisms in it than there are people on the planet. Healthy soil has the same biomass as two cows per acre. Adding compost to your soil helps heal it.
The Wildlife
A haven for wildlife
As a release spot for the Cobequid Wildlife Centre, the site provides a rich ecosystem for diverse wildlife including eagles, turtles, mink, redwing black bird, wood ducks, geese, woodcocks, hawks and a multitude of plant, insect and bacteria life. More pictures will come as we take photos through the year of our frequent visitors.
See the Cobequid Wildlife Centre site.
To Order Now - Call 902-899-2348
Mon - Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm
(in May & June Open on Saturdays from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm)
Open on Victoria Day weekend from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Saturday and 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Sunday.
Watch your local flyers for this year's special
Ask us about our contractor pricing!
1332 Pleasant Valley Road, Brookfield, Nova Scotia
Hours of Operation
Mon - Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm
(in May & June Open on Saturdays from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm)
Watch your local flyers for this year's special!
(902)899-2348
