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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 net cost would be $11,400.

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

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

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

鈥淩ight now we are facing a growing rat population and it is because of our compost and what rats like. It鈥檚 not a problem, but it鈥檚 growing and compost attracts them,鈥� Mayor Colleen Anderson said. 鈥淪o I鈥檓 in favour of this.鈥�

Coun. Pam Beech also pointed out that as a 鈥渃ondo living community,鈥� 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.

鈥淚鈥檓 not a huge fan of this. I look at this from a business perspective and we鈥檙e taking all the risk,鈥� said Baillie. We鈥檙e buying 100 units up front, then basically have to sell it on the company鈥檚 behalf. It鈥檚 a great deal for the company, I just don鈥檛 know if it鈥檚 a great deal for us鈥� we鈥檙e out there basically marketing their machine.鈥�

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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