The District of Sicamous is exploring a FoodCycler pilot program pending community interest.

The organization Food Cycle Science pitched the program to council, explaining that it reduces greenhouse gas emissions and food waste in landfills by converting it to a nutrient-rich by-product that is basically soil. Chief financial officer Bianca Colonna explained that it害羞草研究所檚 a composting unit people can have in their kitchens.

The program would be 100 per cent grant funded, with the district getting approximately $60,000 each year from the Local Government Climate Action Incentive Program for green initiatives. As this diverts waste from the landfill, it害羞草研究所檚 applicable, explained Colonna during the Nov. 22 district finance committee meeting.

For the 100-household pilot program, the district would order 50 of the smaller units, and 5o of the larger ones, for a total cost of $33,900. They would subsidize the cost to residents at $100, regardless of the unit size, with participants then paying $150 to $300 depending on which they choose as the best choice for their household needs. With the district recouping those amounts, it害羞草研究所檚 net cost would be $11,400.

In researching the program, Colonna reached out to other communities that participated, with Tumbler Ridge reporting great results.

害羞草研究所淪o far it害羞草研究所檚 going over extremely well in Tumbler Ridge. The community has really embraced it,害羞草研究所� she said, but added, however, that Dawson Creek didn害羞草研究所檛 have as much success a few years ago as the initiative didn害羞草研究所檛 fit their community at that time.

As the FoodCyclers would negate the need for outdoor compost bins, which Coun. Bob Evans described as 害羞草研究所渂asically rat drive-thrus,害羞草研究所� council was generally supportive of the initiative.

害羞草研究所淩ight now we are facing a growing rat population and it is because of our compost and what rats like. It害羞草研究所檚 not a problem, but it害羞草研究所檚 growing and compost attracts them,害羞草研究所� Mayor Colleen Anderson said. 害羞草研究所淪o I害羞草研究所檓 in favour of this.害羞草研究所�

Coun. Pam Beech also pointed out that as a 害羞草研究所渃ondo living community,害羞草研究所� this provides a compatible, food waste solution for those residents.

Coun. Ian Baillie, however, was the lone opponent to the program, citing the risk element.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 not a huge fan of this. I look at this from a business perspective and we害羞草研究所檙e taking all the risk,害羞草研究所� said Baillie. We害羞草研究所檙e buying 100 units up front, then basically have to sell it on the company害羞草研究所檚 behalf. It害羞草研究所檚 a great deal for the company, I just don害羞草研究所檛 know if it害羞草研究所檚 a great deal for us害羞草研究所� we害羞草研究所檙e out there basically marketing their machine.害羞草研究所�

He added that if the company would be willing to take back any unsold units at cost, he would be in favour of the programs as that removes the risk to the district.

With the majority of council in support of implementing the pilot program, it will come back to regular council on Dec. 13 for a resolution to enter into the agreement, with Colonna contacting the company regarding unit returns if necessary.

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