Kelowna Councillor Gord Lovegrove could not get his colleagues to bite on adding food waste to Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 curbside collection at council香蕉视频直播檚 June 9 meeting.
Council discussed the issue following a staff recommendation against joining the Regional District of Central Okanagan香蕉视频直播檚 (RDCO) proposed program.
The Glenmore landfill handles about 45,000 tonnes of organic material each year, but isn香蕉视频直播檛 equipped to process food waste due to space, odour, and wildlife concerns. Staff said a new transfer station would be needed香蕉视频直播攅stimated at $12 million, though likely higher in an urban setting.
Having a new transfer station would extend the life of the Glenmore landfill by about two years, which means $24 million in revenue for the city and $85 million in regional economic benefit council heard.
However, staff noted significant uncertainties with location, design, technical features, and space requirements.
香蕉视频直播淭hese factors香蕉视频直播攃ombined with cost香蕉视频直播攎ake this the wrong time to proceed,香蕉视频直播� a staff report stated.
Lovegrove pointed out that there is wide support throughout the Central Okanagan for the plan.
香蕉视频直播淚f we get that transfer station going, we香蕉视频直播檙e learning and doing this, and our regional partners can do it,香蕉视频直播� Lovegrove said. 香蕉视频直播淚f we vote this down香蕉视频直播攚e have let down our regional partners as well.香蕉视频直播�
While 73 per cent of Central Okanagan residents surveyed liked the idea, without Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 participation, less than 13 per cent would be willing to take part. About 50 per cent of residents support paying for the program.
The cost would be approximately $63 per year for a single-family household. Without Kelowna on board that amount rises to more than $150.
The RDCO香蕉视频直播檚 plan involves letting residents toss food waste into green bins, expanding yard waste pickup to weekly year-round, and reducing garbage collection to every other week.
However, the program would only service single-family homes, and not multi-residential or commercial properties.
香蕉视频直播淭he one thing we know about the City of Kelowna is the fastest growing area of our housing has been multi-family,香蕉视频直播� Coun. Luke Stack said.
The RDCO is also pitching its food waste collection program to other Central Okanagan communities.
