Residents in Murrayville and Willoughby are learning that, with a little bit of care and the loving touch of Mother Nature, food scraps can be transformed into treasure - treasure for lawns and gardens.

Backyard composting is one of the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective ways to turn waste into a valuable resource: the dark, rich soil conditioner called compost.

This summer, the Township of Langley is conducting a backyard composting pilot project in Murrayville and Willoughby, and dozens of people have signed on to learn about the benefits of composting and give back to the environment.

"We would like to thank the people who are participating in the project," said Robyn Cooper, the Township's solid waste coordinator.

"They are helping to keep our community green and we encourage them - and others - to keep up the good work," Cooper said.

Composting reduces waste disposal costs, lessens the amount of garbage sent to landfill, and produces a rich byproduct that can be used to enhance lawns, flowers, and vegetable gardens.

"Composting is nature's recycling. It is the environment's way of recycling through the natural breakdown of organic material," Cooper said.

"In the Township of Langley we're letting Mother Nature do her thing: decompose our leftover organic kitchen scraps and yard trimmings into compost."

By backyard composting and blue box recycling, residents can reduce the amount of household waste needing disposal by as much as 50 per cent.

"This reduces the production of methane, a gas which contributes to global warming," she added.

The pilot project was launched to encourage more people in residential areas to explore the benefits of backyard composting, and participants have been pleased with the outcome.

"It has been a really positive experience," said new backyard compost user Chantale Cherrier.

"I end up with much less garbage and feel like I've really given back to the environment."

Another resident has been composting for 20 years in big and small backyards, and even in a townhouse complex, and has "always been able to make it work without any problems," she said.

"You really feel a sense of stewardship and the compost really enriches the life of the backyard."

To start backyard composting, place a composter in a warm, easy to reach spot in the backyard.

Collect and sort kitchen food scraps, such as vegetable and fruit peelings, and place them in the bin, making sure to leave out any animal products.

Then simply let the natural process begin.

"Using a small container in the kitchen to collect the compost before bringing it out to the backyard makes composting a lot easier," noted Linda Metcalfe, a participant in the pilot project.

Backyard composters can be purchased by Township of Langley residents for $35 at the civic facility, 20338 65 Ave., or the operations centre, 4700 224 St.

Those interested in composting can also visit the Langley Demonstration Garden at 4887 221 St., call the Backyard Composting Hotline at 604-736-2250, or visit tol.ca/composting.

Tips and information are also available in the Township's Guide to Backyard Composting and Grasscycling.

Anyone who would like to add their name to the growing list of compost users in the Township can call 604-532-7300, or email Cooper at rcooper@tol.ca.