Soil to be used for landscaping and agriculture will be available with the completion of a new facility.
Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM) has begun construction of a regional facility that will allow for curbside compost pickup to around 30,000 single-family homes in Campbell River, Comox, Cumberland and Courtenay.
Compost that would wind up in the landfill will be able to be used for fertilizer for various groups, according to capital project manager Cole Makinson.
“It will take a little bit to get compost cured and processed,” said Makinson. “We’ll be opening it up to residential, municipal and then also potentially farm use as well.”
A study found that around 30 per cent of waste in landfills is compostable. Makinson hopes all of that will be diverted to the new facility.
Waste management says they are planning to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills as some are now at capacity.
“Removing organics from the waste stream is absolutely essential,” said Makinson. “Not only do organics take up space in our landfill but methane from the food waste produces greenhouse gases which are harmful to the environment.”
CSWM says the $17.3 million project is funded through $6.4 million in grants and the remainder through reserves. They say the facility will be able to process 14.5 tonnes of organics every year with the potential to double in the future.
The project is expected to be finished in September 2022 and will accept co-mingled food and yard waste.
