Solid Waste Management Coordinator Cameron Baughen discussed bio composting with regional district board members at the Environment and Infrastructure Committee meeting on March 21.
Baughen delivered a power point presentation outlining considerations the board should be cognizant of as they move towards the development of organics waste handling infrastructure.
The regional district, as part of their solid waste management plan in 2012, called for the increased diversion of organics from landfills in the region. A key strategy of the plan is the development of local composting facilities capable of handling food waste, yard waste and waste water bio-solids.
Baughen first pointed out to the board what they did not want - sensational headlines outlining disagreeable odours that tend to emanate from organic waste processing facilities. He warned the board to beware of the pitfalls in the establishment of a bio waste facility, citing such issues as:
- poorly chosen locations
- cost cutting leading to problems and overblown expenses
- lack of regulations
- failure to provide carrots by working with private composters.
Baughen noted that government’s primary concern was odour issues.
The consultative process towards the regional district’s bio handling facility begins this summer with consultations over the draft bylaw and discussions with identified landowners. Request for proposal criteria, a comparison of private and public sector options and a non-binding decision on siting is slated for completion by the winter of 2014.
Baughen concluded his presentation by reinforcing a “spend to save” philosophy, noting that composting could be safely done anywhere, but becomes much more expensive and tougher to do the closer the facility gets to “receptors.”
Keremeos Director Manfred Bauer noted that the high costs of organic composting would make it very difficult to bring the program to rural areas of the regional district.
Baughen admitted that commercial operations generated most of the area’s organic waste, with Penticton alone producing 70 per cent. Baughen also noted that 20 per cent of household waste was organic in origin.
“There is no easy solution anymore,” Baughen admitted, “the next steps are going to be much more expensive.”
Area “C” Director Allan Patton also saw the program as an urban rather than rural one.