Richard Froese
South Peace News
Big Lakes County residents will soon have an opportunity to buy a new small kitchen device to reduce the volume of food waste going into the local waste system.
At its regular meeting Jan. 22, council approved a motion to participate in the Food Cycle Science Municipal Food Waste Diversion Pilot Program at a cost of up to $12,250 that will allow up to 100 Big Lakes households to participate.
FoodCycler can take almost any type of food waste, including fruit and vegetable scraps, meat, fish, dairy, bones, shells, pits, coffee grinds and filter and even paper towel and convert it into a nutrient-rich byproduct that can be used to enrich soil.
Big Lakes would offer two versions of the FoodCycler, a small countertop appliance for sale – the FoodCycler Eco 3 version at a cost of about $200 and the FoodCycler Eco 5 for about $300, says a report from Joe Zdeb, director of corporate services.
Big Lakes will subsidize $100 for each unit sold in the one-year pilot project.
“The intent is to determine how much food waste is being diverted from the landfill,” Zdeb told council.
He added a website will soon be created for people to order their units.
Several members of council expressed support for the pilot project.
Heart River – Salt Prairie Councillor Garrett Zahacy says the pilot program is a good promotion.
“It’s to get interest in the community.”
Acting reeve Lane Monteith agreed.
“I think its a good idea.”
Kinuso Councillor Roberta Hunt and Joussard and Councillor Richard Mifflin also expressed support.
“I think it’s a great idea – to reduce emissions,” Hunt said.
FoodCycler Eco 3 can process up to 3.5 L of food waste per cycle while the FoodCycler Eco 5 can process up to 5 L of food waste in one cycle, says information from Food Cycle Science, based in Ottawa.
The larger unit is about the size of a deep fryer.
FCS municipal representative Maddy From promoted the device and pilot program online to council at its regular meeting Jan. 8.
About 160 other municipalities across Canada have joined the pilot project, she wrote in a letter to council.
“Every FoodCycler deployed is estimated to divert at least two tonnes of food over its expected lifetime,” From says.
“Based on market rates of $100 per tonne of waste, 100 households participating would divert 200 tonnes of food waste and save the municipality an estimated $20,000 in costs.
“Every tonne of food waste diverted from landfill is estimated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1.5 tonnes of CO2e before transportation emissions.
Based on this, 100 households would divert about 300 tonnes of greenhouse gas emission.”
“Through this partnership, Big Lakes can achieve immediate and impactful benefits, acquire valuable insights about food waste diversion in your region and showcase itself as an environmental leader and innovate in Canada,” From said.
By using FoodCycler, Big Lakes residents would:
- Have an opportunity to own an at-home food-waste-diversion solution at a cost well below market value;
- Support climate change goals by reducing waste going to the landfill;
- Create the ability to fertilize their garden soil by generating a nutrient-rich soil amendment;
- Reduce the “ick factor” of garbage to keep animals and vermin away;
- Reduce trips to the waste site and save excess waste fees where applicable.