Organics Recovery Feasibility Study

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has established a policy of working towards “zero waste”. Representing 42per cent of the residual waste stream, organics are overwhelmingly the most important single target for diversion. This study will investigate the implementation of a comprehensive organics collection and processing system within theRegional Districts of Kootenay Boundary and Central Kootenay. The study will include an evaluation of organics recoverytechnologies and curbside and depot collection systems suitable for both urban and rural settings. Various options fortreating the diverted organics, particularly those that could result in marketable products such as fertilizer and the use ofcaptured greenhouse gases will be considered. Analysis will be done on the impacts an organics diversion programwould have on the existing waste management systems and compare the long-term operational and environmental costsof organics recovery versus landfilling, including the management of leachate and landfill gas. The study will enumerateall sources of organics and potential markets for finished products, concentrating on creating a business plan for theoperation of a recovery system. Potential feedstock will include residential and commercial organics, as well as biosolidsfrom the local Celgar Pulp Company. The potential for the use of alternate fuels for collection vehicles, perhaps evenusing by-products of the recovery process, as fuel will also be explored. Six public consultation sessions will be heldthroughout the study period, ensuring that all areas of the two Regional Districts are included. Consultation andcollaboration with local industry and institutions is also an important component of the study. This approach would beeasily transferred to communities facing similar challenges.