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乌鸦传媒檚 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乌鸦传媒檚 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乌鸦传媒檚 net cost would be $11,400.

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

乌鸦传媒淪o far it乌鸦传媒檚 going over extremely well in Tumbler Ridge. The community has really embraced it,乌鸦传媒� she said, but added, however, that Dawson Creek didn乌鸦传媒檛 have as much success a few years ago as the initiative didn乌鸦传媒檛 fit their community at that time.

As the FoodCyclers would negate the need for outdoor compost bins, which Coun. Bob Evans described as 乌鸦传媒渂asically rat drive-thrus,乌鸦传媒� council was generally supportive of the initiative.

乌鸦传媒淩ight now we are facing a growing rat population and it is because of our compost and what rats like. It乌鸦传媒檚 not a problem, but it乌鸦传媒檚 growing and compost attracts them,乌鸦传媒� Mayor Colleen Anderson said. 乌鸦传媒淪o I乌鸦传媒檓 in favour of this.乌鸦传媒�

Coun. Pam Beech also pointed out that as a 乌鸦传媒渃ondo living community,乌鸦传媒� 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.

乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檓 not a huge fan of this. I look at this from a business perspective and we乌鸦传媒檙e taking all the risk,乌鸦传媒� said Baillie. We乌鸦传媒檙e buying 100 units up front, then basically have to sell it on the company乌鸦传媒檚 behalf. It乌鸦传媒檚 a great deal for the company, I just don乌鸦传媒檛 know if it乌鸦传媒檚 a great deal for us乌鸦传媒� we乌鸦传媒檙e out there basically marketing their machine.乌鸦传媒�

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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