Survey now open: Composting in Vernon

News

The City is looking for input on composting as the pilot program comes to an end.

Over the summer, the City of Vernon piloted an organics collection program to reduce waste going to the landfill. Two organics collection bins were placed at City Hall and behind the Schubert Centre.

Under the pilot, organics were collected twice a week by Spa Hills Compost. The pilot program budget was $5,000 with 100% of program costs funded by the Climate Action Revolving Fund. The Climate Action Revolving Fund is a program the City developed using the Climate Action Rebate Incentive Program rebates to fund projects that reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.

The pilot program wraps up November 4, 2019, at which time the bins will be removed.

The program was used by many members of the community, with compost bins full or overflowing most weeks. Spa Hills Compost estimates that 232,000 lbs of food waste and organics were diverted from the landfill.

“Community members have been so excited about the program,” said Laurie Cordell, manager of Long Range Planning and Sustainability with the City of Vernon. “It has been great to see how full the bins have been and how many people in Vernon are passionate about composting.”

The program has contributed to Vernon’s sustainability by encouraging its residents to reduce the amount of organic waste going to landfill, thereby reducing GHG emissions.

As the pilot is now wrapping up, the City is looking at options for future composting and seeking feedback from community members. A quick survey is now open at www.engagevernon.ca. This information will be used to inform future actions related to composting in Vernon. The survey will be open until November 4, 2019.