Fix & Reuse
Food and yard waste can take up as much as 30% of your trash bin, but in Montana less than 1% of garbage is currently composted. By starting to compost at home, you can greatly reduce the amount of waste you send to the landfill, reducing greenhouse gas emmissions while creating a nutrient-rich additive that will improve the health of your yard, garden, plants, and trees without the need for chemical fertilizers.
Starting Is Simple
Starting an at-home compost pile is simple! Those interested in seeing demonstration compost sites in-person can visit the WasteNot Compost Demonstration Garden at the Flathead Valley Community College Campus. For online resources and information, check out our Composting Research (PDF).
City Program Interest
The City of Whitefish is considering a composting pilot program in which there could be a central drop-off location for residential compost. The results of a 2019 Community Survey (PDF) indicate there is interest in participating in such a program.
The facility will require bear-proof fencing based on direction from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the City is working to accomplish this.
Dirt Rich Compost
In the meantime, you can subscribe to Dirt Rich Compost for residential and commercial compost pick-up services.
The Fix-It Brochure (PDF) provides a list of local repair-people for upholstery, appliances, musical instruments and tools. It also includes a list of online Do-it-Yourself (DIY) repair guides.
Refill Not Landfill
Climate Smart Glacier Country and the City of Whitefish are partnering to support the use of reusable water bottles through an initiative called Refill Not Landfill.
To see the locations where you can refill your reusable water bottle in Whitefish, Kalispell, Columbia Falls, and Glacier National Park, view the Refill Not Landfill flyer, or visit the Climate Smart Glacier Country website.
Keep plastic out of our landfills and stay hydrated this summer!