FoodCycler Pilot Program:
Loyalist Township is moving the ResiLienT Loyalist Township Climate Action Pan forward with the FoodCycler Pilot Program.
Introduced initially to Council in November of 2021, the FoodCycler Pilot Program, partially funded by Impact Canada grants, provided a limited number of resident households with FoodCyclers as an alternative option for composting in both urban and rural areas and aims to address the issue of food waste while promoting environmental consciousness within the community was supported to proceed.
To date, Loyalist Township has run two 12-week 100-household programs in the Summer of 2023 and Spring of 2024. Over a 12-week period, the pilot program participants recorded their unit usage and satisfaction rates. Feedback from both pilots will be integrated into Loyalist Township’s Solid Waste Management Plan, contributing to long-term waste reduction strategies.
Key points of data shared gathered include from Pilot #1:
- 34.2 MT of food waste diverted from landfill/year from the 100 FoodCyclers in the pilot
- Residents reported a 0.37 bag reduction per week which equals 19.2 bags/household/per year of food waste diverted from landfills.
- Participants rated the program 4.7/5 stars
- 97.5% of participants will continue using the FoodCycler
Key points of data shared gathered include from Pilot #2:
- 22 MT of food waste diverted from landfill/year from the 100 FoodCyclers in the pilot
- Residents reported a 0.43 bag reduction per week which equals 22.3 bags/household/per year of food waste diverted from landfills.
- Participants rated the program 4.7/5 stars
- 99% of participants will continue using the FoodCycler
On January 9th, 2024, after, Loyalist Township council authorized expansion of the pilot program by another 100 units, council directed staff to complete a feasibility report on the potential to expand to a community wide scale Foodcycler program compared to alternatives means of handling and processing source separated organics. This will be included in the Solid Waste Management Master Plan and is anticipated to undergo public consultation in Q1 2025, with the final recommendations expected to be presented to council in Q2 2025.
Sign Up for Future Updates:
If you are interested in FoodCycler Pilot Program updates please register for our email list below:
Please note: Email list registration does not guarantee you a spot in future programs.
What is a FoodCycler?
By utilizing cutting-edge technology, a FoodCycler can transform organic waste into compost amendment right in our own homes and offices. 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.
Models Available:
Benefits:
- Reduces waste volume by up to 90%
- Quiet, compact, and odourless operation
- Easy to clean, easy to operate, no special training or skills required
- Relatively quick process and available year-round (compared to composting)
- Produces valuable compost amendment that is fully-dry, low in odour and less attractive to wildlife
- Low emissions compared to direct landfilling (reduced methane production, low power consumption, no transport emissions)
How it Works?
| Step 1 |
| Place your food waste into the FoodCycler™ bucket. The FoodCycler™ can take almost any type of food waste, including fruit and vegetable scraps, meat, fish, dairy, bones, shells, pits, coffee grinds and filters, and even paper towels. |
| Step 2 |
| Place the FoodCycler™ bucket into your FoodCycler™ unit. The FoodCycler™can be used anywhere with a plug such as a kitchen countertop, basement, laundry room, heated garage, etc. |
| Step 3 |
| Press Start. In 8 hours or less, your food waste will be transformed into compost amendment that can integrated back into your garden. The cycle runs quietly and with no odours or GHG emissions. |
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