FOOD WASTE SOLUTIONS
IN-HOME FOOD WASTE DIVERSION
To encourage at-home composting and reduce the amount of organic material going to the landfill, the Township of Greater Madawaska participated in a pilot study through FoodCycle Science to investigate the feasibility of residential in-home composting. The program timeline was June 2023 to June 2024.
FoodCycle Science offered a Municipal Pilot Program subsidized by Impact Canada. The Township participated in this subsidized pilot program and 92 residents registered to participate. The basics of the pilot program were:
- purchase a FoodCycler unit at a cost of $150 (regular unit) to $300 (large unit)
- track the number of cycles over a 12 week period
- complete a survey at the end of the 12 week period
The results of the pilot program were positive and were shared through a presentation to Council provided by a representative from Food Cycle Science. Please refer to the June 20, 2024 Council Meeting Agenda Package for full details.
Program Details (program closed)
PROGRAM PARTICIPATION
Pre-registration for residents interested in participating in the program began in June 2023 and is now closed.
Participants were notified that their Foodcycler units could be picked up at the Township Office, as of October 4, 2023.
The deadline for pick-up was November 10, 2023.
The cost was $150 + HST for the FC-30 and $300 + HST for the Eco 5.
Accessories for your Foodcycler unit, such as filter refills, can be purchased online directly from the Foodcycler Store.
BACKGROUND
Founded in 2011, FoodCycle Science is a Canadian company that produces residential and commercial devices that use electricity to quickly compost food waste into a finished compost product.
FoodCycle Science's residential device is called FoodCycler. Using electricity, the device dries and grinds food waste into a dry, odourless, nutrient-dense by-product that is significantly reduced in weight and volume from its unprocessed state. The end product claims to be free from bacteria and weed seeds and food-borne pathogens are eliminated in the process. Each "cycle" of composting in the FoodCycler takes approximately 4 to 8 hours and uses only 0.8 to 1.3 kWh of electricity.
Specific benefits of using the FoodCycler include:
• Up to 90% volume reduction
• Quiet, compact, odourless operation
• Easy to clean, easy to operate, no special training or skills required
• Quick (compared to composting, the FoodCycler processes food waste in hours, instead of months)
• Produces a valuable soil amendment, low in odour and less attractive to wildlife.
• Reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) impact vs landfill.
The FoodCycler is available in two sizes:
Original FoodCycler FC30
Slightly more compact, the original FoodCycler™ boasts a 2.5L bucket capacity and is the perfect household helper to turn your food waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment in just hours. The FoodCycler FC30 takes approximately 4 to 8 hours and uses 0.8 kWh of electricity.
This unit was available at a subsidized price of $150.00 + HST to residents of the Township.
New FoodCycler Maestro
The 5L bucket capacity makes it perfect for families and anyone with lots of food scraps. Featuring the new innovative Vortech™ grinding system, Maestro can tackle even the toughest of jobs in just hours, transforming your food waste into a nutrient rich soil amendment. And just like the original, Maestro fits seamlessly into your daily routine. The FoodCycler Maestro takes 6 to 8 hours and uses 1.3 kWh of electricity.
This unit was available at a subsidized price of $300.00 + HST to residents of the Township.
For more detailed information about Food Cycle Science, the FoodCycler Unit, and the Municipal Subsidized Pilot Program, please refer to the April 20, 2023 Council Meeting Agenda Package. In the package you will find the presentation that was made to Council by Jacob Hanlon of Food Cycle Science Corporation.
