Thorlakson Feedyards
TNC is committed to provide clean and efficient large-scale composting to Central Alberta.
Aerobic Compost Rows
In 1987, Thorlakson Feedyards started composting manure. After 10 years of composting on the farm, Nature’s Call was created where we packaged various garden products. It quickly expanded as new products were introduced and more products were packaged. From 1997 to 2016, TNC began to produce and package several product lines, including Loblaws and Scotts. In 2016, we sold our soil blending and packaging facility to Scotts Canada, who now operates adjacent to our compost pad.
TNC is now focused on commercial composting of organic waste. We take organic waste from large organizations and municipalities that collect organic waste from various sources.
Our vision is to provide a clean and efficient composting solution that the community can be proud of.
Our Mission is to be the best land based composting facility in Central Alberta. Being the best means, having a clean composting pad, capable of producing high quality finished compost year-round.
1
Why should you compost? What is the difference between my apple core decomposing in a landfill versus composting?
There are two main kinds of composting: aerobic and anaerobic. Essentially, the main difference is that aerobic composting requires oxygen, while anaerobic does not.
When your apple core ends up in a landfill, it decomposes anaerobically because the apple core stays in a pile and cannot access to oxygen. Anaerobic microbes then start to decompose the apple and they release a greenhouse gas called methane.
If you put your apple core in your green bin, that apple core ends up in compost facilities like ours. We take that apple core and put it in a row of other organic waste. We turn those rows with large machinery, which then allows for oxygen to be present throughout the process. The oxygen prevents the growth of the anaerobic microbes that release methane.
2
How do you aerobically compost?
When the truck brings in a load of organic waste, we take it and mix it with wood and finished compost. This allows for air movement and gets the composting process started quicker.
The organic waste and wood are then placed in our composting rows. We then use large commercial machinery that turns the compost rows on a bi-weekly basis to make sure that the waste has access to oxygen.
Then, after the compost row reaches the right temperature (55 degrees Celcius) and stays there for 15 days, it has completed it's pathogen kill. We then let the compost mature, which takes a few more weeks, then the row is screened to make sure any debris that is left over is removed. We then assure that our compost meets the Compost Quality Assurance Standards, and then it is either sold or used on our crop fields to provide nutrients.
3
Can I bring my organics directly to TNC?
We are a commercial composter so we receive our organic waste from large organizations that collect organic waste from various sources. Check out your municipality for information on how you can compost!
4
How long does it take for my waste to turn into compost?
It really depends on the weather, but typically it takes 2 – 4 months to compost
Plastic and glass cause a lot of problems for composters. Make sure that they are recycled in appropriate ways because your blue bin is going to a different place than your green bin!
We’ve always got new and interesting things going on. Check out our blog to see our latest horses, cattle news, or FAQ’s of composting.
We’re happy to answer all questions, and chat all things Compost. Thank you for visiting TNC Compost.