RD’s form partnership regarding diversion of organic waste
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Organic waste will be diverted from the more populous parts of the Kootenay Boundary region district to the Central Kootenay regional district after the two regional governments signed an agreement recently.
A memorandum of understanding was signed last week between the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) and the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) in regards to the delivery and receiving of organic waste originating within the RDKB.
The two regional districts chose to collaborate in works associated with its respective organic waste diversion programs, “with the common goal of reducing the amount of organic wastes being landfilled” in order to meet the solid waste management objectives of:
- reducing greenhouse gas (methane) emissions and landfill leachate production associated with organic waste decomposing in landfills; and
- preserving landfill capacity and extending landfill lifespans.
The collaboration entails the RDKB transporting organic waste collected from its residential green bin program and any other sources to the RDCK-owned and operated Central Composting Facility in Salmo for the receiving and processing of organic wastes into compost.
The RDCK will be responsible for the operation of the facility, including the receiving and processing of organic wastes into compost.
The RDKB has constructed a transfer station facility at the McKelvey Creek Landfill to collect food waste from residential and commercial collection programs to allow for efficient transport to the facility.
Waste not, want not
The RDKB completed an Organics Management Strategy in 2019 which evaluated options for expansion of organics diversion programs, finding that for the organic waste generated in the McKelvey Creek Wasteshed — which included Trail, Rossland, Fruitvale, Montrose, Warfield and Areas A and B — a partnership with the RDCK was the preferred option.
The commitment was made that once the Salmo facility’s organics processing infrastructure was completed and operational the program would commence.
The Central Composting Facility — located at the Central (Salmo) Transfer Station — started operating on Aug. 21 “customers can dispose of organic waste at the four RDCK Waste Disposal Facilities.”
Operating in compliance with the Organic Matter Recycling Regulation — as well as provincial, and federal legislation and regulations — the facility in Salmo is designed to produce a class A compost product from non-bio-solids feedstock.
Source: RDCK addenda Aug. 19
The Nelson view
The City of Nelson will be part of a federally-funded pilot project to delve deeper into the bin of alternative organic waste diversion.
Using food waste recyclers — in-home pre-treatment appliances — for organic waste diversion, the City of Nelson will receive $395,700 for a pilot project to evaluate the new technology.
Funded through the federal Ministry of Natural Resources and distributed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the project builds on the first pilot that tested the approach in 151 Nelson homes.
This time, the community project will cast a wider net and expand the use of the appliance — that pre-treats household food waste — to a further 1,100 households.
“This pilot will expand the test in a demographically diverse neighbourhood, including mixed-income households in both multi-unit and single-family homes, and include a community education effort,” noted a press release from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
If the pilot is successful it will position Nelson as one of the first municipalities in the nation to offer pre-treated organics using a pre-treatment appliance, “bringing multiple environmental, economic and social benefits.”
It was noted that a successful demonstration of the program in Nelson could be the springboard for other municipalities across Canada to initiate programs of their own in regard to residential organics diversion.
Source: June 25 City of Nelson agenda
