Let’s talk food waste

Did you know that currently, 41% of residential garbage is compostable (including food waste and soiled paper)? Food waste and other compostables that are buried at the Glenmore landfill, decompose and produce methane gas, a powerful greenhouse gas. Almost 70% of this gas is collected using underground pipes within the garbage and sent to a renewable natural gas upgrade plant located at the landfill. The remaining methane gas, however, enters the atmosphere and contributes to climate change.

Our 2022 Food Waste Feasibility Study identified putting food waste into yard waste carts as the preferred option to manage curbside food waste collection in the region. The Regional District of Central Okanagan has now begun to further explore the possibility of a curbside residential food waste collection program using existing yard waste carts. This would mean food waste would be diverted from the landfill and sent for composting.

Part of the exploration for a food waste collection program is to engage with residents of the Central Okanagan and get feedback on the possible program.

• Phase 1 of this engagement will measure overall community support for a curbside food waste collection program as well as identify concerns residents may have regarding the program. Based on feedback received in this initial phase, the RDCO will then decide if and how to move forward in developing a region-wide curbside food waste collection program for Central Okanagan residents.
  
  As part of Phase 1, the RDCO is conducting a statistically valid survey and over 1800 residents are being randomly selected to participate. This mailout survey will provide a comprehensive understanding of residents’ opinions and preferences regarding food waste collection. Results of the survey will be compiled by an independent firm and presented to the Regional District this winter, with results of the survey available here as well.
  
  
• Once Phase 1 is complete and if implementation continues, Phase 2 of the engagement will focus on addressing concerns identified in Phase 1. Concerns identified could include how often your waste is collected, where food waste would be processed, and how much the program would cost.
  
  Phase 2 of engagement would include a much broader level of public outreach and engagement including events such as open houses or pop up events, neighborhood newsletters, and more.
  
  

If you don’t receive a survey, you can provide your thoughts or ask questions below.

Why are we exploring food waste collection now?

• The 2022 Food Waste Feasibility Study identified food waste going into existing yard waste carts as a good option for diverting food waste from landfill.
• Food waste collection could divert almost 7,500 tonnes of waste from the landfill annually, extending the lifespan of the regions’ only landfill.
• While 70% of methane gas (a powerful greenhouse gas) is captured at the landfill, 30% still enters the atmosphere. Reducing food waste going to the landfill will reduce overall greenhouse gas production at the landfill.
• Food waste collection was identified as a key initiative to explore in the Regions Solid Waste Management Plan, which provides a blueprint for how our waste is managed in the region until 2030.
• The Regional Board has identified implementation of a curbside organics (adding food waste) collection program in their 2023-2026 strategic priorities.
• By 2047, the population of the Central Okanagan will likely grow by more than 85,000 people, leading to more waste. We need to find a way to manage our waste and landfill more effectively.

How organics are currently managed in the Central Okanagan

Today, over 15,000 tonnes of yard waste is collected curbside and composted into GlenGrow, a nutrient rich soil enhancer used to improve local soil in gardens and parks.

The majority of food waste in the region is landfilled at the Glenmore landfill. Food waste that is landfilled gradually decomposes and creates methane gas, a powerful greenhouse gas. However, 70% of the methane gas generated at the Glenmore landfill is captured and diverted through a renewable natural gas upgrade plant operated by FortisBC. This renewable natural gas is used to heat homes and businesses in the region. Any remaining methane gas that is not captured is released into the environment.

Potential food waste collection program

Can more organic material be diverted from the landfill? We are exploring the possibility of collecting food waste so it could be composted, diverting waste from the landfill, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The most effective way to collect food waste in the Central Okanagan, according to our recent feasibility study (2022), is to put food waste into existing yard waste carts and begin collecting those yard waste carts weekly instead of biweekly. With food waste out of the garbage stream, garbage collection could be changed to every other week. As there are currently no local compost facilities permitted to process food waste in our region, a transfer station would need to be sited and built in the region to receive comingled food/yard waste from residential collection trucks. The material would then be hauled to a compost facility and finished compost could be used as a soil enhancer such as mine reclamation. This change in collection would likely have some additional cost to residents.

The first phase of the food waste program focuses on residents who have curbside yard waste collection. Other sectors such as multifamily, transfer station users and commercial generators of food waste would be explored in the future.