Just Good Compost, founded by psychiatrist William Affleck, has discovered its unique "pay-to-peel" model is catching on in small town eastern Ontario.William Affleck founded Just Good Compost almost two years ago and it quickly took off, bolstered by residents of small towns where a municipal organic waste program may not be financially feasible.An Ottawa Valley business that launched a unique compost service in Almonte two years ago is expanding.
"Small municipalities are in a real bind because it doesn't make any sense to have a compost program," said Affleck, pointing to the low population density, long distances and "vermin trouble" that can make rural compost operations a non-starter.He's tapping into a growing desire among many to prevent their organic waste from festering for a lifetime in a landfill and the "pang of guilt" that comes with it.
"One of the things that happens with people with mental illnesses they become isolated — their life gets smaller and smaller and smaller and they tend to get trapped in their basements," Affleck observed. Now a doctor of psychiatry, Affleck said that simple, pedal-powered business had given the man purpose and a role in the life of his community.
Just Good Compost has signed businesses including Tea and Cake, a quaint tearoom in Almonte. The shop now has a suitable place for its compostable waste. At Lanark County Support Services, while Afflect cut cheques for Just Good Compost employees for their work, Trevor enthusiastically volunteered for an interview and vouched for the bucket washing work he was engaged in.The waste is composted at a facility in Perth.