Composting has become second nature for many of us in Whistler, whether through curbside collection or dropping off food scraps at the Nesters or Function Junction depots. But have you ever wondered what happens after those scraps leave your kitchen?
The journey leads to Sea to Sky Soils, where food scraps are transformed into high-quality compost through a carefully controlled process. Over time, the scraps break down into nutrient-rich soil, used to regenerate local agricultural lands and reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers. It’s a closed-loop system—waste turned into a resource, keeping nutrients cycling within our local environment, and feeding the land that sustains us.
When done right, composting supports healthy soils, thriving farms, and a more sustainable Whistler. However, this success story is being compromised by an increasing problem: plastic contamination.
The hidden contaminants in our compost
Composting should be one of the simplest ways to reduce waste and regenerate soil. But a visit to Sea to Sky Soils reveals a troubling sight—plastic cups, food packaging, shredded plastic bags, and even a doll’s head. Compost piles are filling up with contaminants, potentially polluting the very soil that may one day grow our food.
Jon, operations manager at Sea to Sky Soils, points out a green plastic bag that can easily be mistaken for compostable material. “People see green and assume compostable—it’s not,” he says.
We may assume if something is biodegradable or “looks compostable,” it belongs in the organics bin. But composting isn’t a magical process where food scraps vanish into rich, dark soil. It’s a biological process that only works when the right materials go in.
If we feed the system the wrong ingredients, we don’t just get compost—we get microplastics, chemical residues, and contamination that lingers in our environment.
Many of us are aware of the issues caused by plastic pollution. While we can’t control everything, we can control what we put in our compost bins.
“One of the most frustrating contaminants is produce stickers,” says Jon. “They shrivel up in the compost piles, slip through filters, and ultimately become part of the compost.”
Produce stickers seem harmless, but like all plastics, they don’t break down—they break up into smaller microplastics that remain in our soil for thousands of years.
And it’s not just plastic bags and stickers. Milk cartons, takeout containers, and food packaging are often thrown into compost bins still filled with food, perhaps under the assumption it will be dealt with accordingly.
But that’s the thing about a closed-loop system: what we throw away doesn’t just disappear. The compost made from our organic waste is used in landscaping, parks, and even food production. What we put in, we get back out. When we contaminate our compost, we’re contaminating our own environment.
Compost isn’t a landfill—So why do we treat it like one?
Sea to Sky Soils works tirelessly to turn Whistler and Pemberton’s organic waste into high-quality compost, but plastic contamination makes the job difficult and resource-intensive. Pulling out a shrivelled Philadelphia cream cheese package, still intact, Jon tells me, “people think we can just pull the plastic out and recycle it. But by this point, it’s dirty, mixed with other plastics, and ultimately ends up in the landfill.”
Removing plastic from the system is a labour-intensive process that requires significant resources. Every non-compostable item that enters the system risks polluting the soil we depend on.
A temporary pause—But an opportunity to improve
For years, Sea to Sky Soils has transformed Whistler’s food waste into nutrient-rich compost, closing the loop on organic waste and supporting local agriculture. But right now, that process is on hold.
Due to contamination and necessary infrastructure upgrades, Sea to Sky Soils has temporarily paused accepting food waste. While this may seem like a setback, it’s actually an opportunity to reset our habits and ensure that going forward we are supporting, not sabotaging, the system.
For now, Whistler’s food scraps are still being composted, just at a different facility. We can continue composting as usual, being extra mindful of what goes into the compost bins. Small changes—like removing stickers from produce and avoiding plastics—will make a big difference.
Sea to Sky Soils expects to resume food-waste processing in the coming months. In the meantime, we can build better habits, protect our composting system, and ensure we’re setting it up for success. Mindful choices can ensure composting remains a powerful tool for regenerating our soils, supporting our community, and reducing waste—not another pathway for plastic pollution. A little extra effort now means a cleaner, healthier future for Whistler and beyond
Head to our website for a breakdown of what can and can’t be composted: awarewhistler.org/blog.
AWARE works with the community to deliver bold, inspiring evidence-based solutions to the environmental issues that affect Whistler. Read more at awarewhistler.org.
