Summerland council reviewing grant application for residential organic waste collection

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A presentation in support of a grant funding application for the Summerland Residential Organic Waste Collection Project is coming before the District of Summerland on Monday.

Staff is recommending council support the CleanBC Organic Infrastructure and Collection Program, which would fund two-thirds of the cost of the residential organic waste curb side collection program rollout.

The program is required for improvements currently under construction at the Summerland landfill compost facility.

Should the grant be successful, the municipality would be on the hook for $225,000, which would be funded by the land sale reserve fund.

Along with food waste composting, which requires changes to allow residential food scrap diversion within the current curb side collection program, the district staff report outlines the new facility would also also need a robust communications and education program for informing residents.

Staff is recommending the district apply to the program for funding for:

• Project planning costs, including a portion of the district’s administrative costs
• A combination of 360L, 240L and 120L bear carts, to provide carts to multi-family properties for food scrap collection and for residents who wish to upgrade to a bear proof container (745 carts in total)
• Food scrap kitchen collection bins for each residential and multi-family properties
• A comprehensive public awareness, education and communications program for curb side organics diversion, including the campaign materials (social media, website, print, etc.)
• The initial distribution of funded program materials to residential and multi-family users.

The District will review the proposal on Monday.