Study of Community Recycling, Composting and District Energy Production, Kent County, NB

Kent County Solid Waste Commission, which serves a population of 30,833 people over a territory of 4,552 km2 in New Brunswick, wishes to launch a study to examine the feasibility of creating innovative recycling and composting programs that would enable it to divert 50% of commercial and residential waste from landfill and increase its production of green energy. The study will examine a number of options, specifically the viability of two infrastructures: an anaerobic digestion system installed in the Bouctouche industrial park to treat biomass waste and produce biogas as well as electricity for resale to NB Power; and a cogeneration plant fuelled by biomass and solid waste to produce heat and electricity. Other options under study include introducing a three-way waste collection system for the residential sector, managing a hazardous waste depot for the residential sector, as well as collecting paper and paperboard from the commercial sector. The options will be evaluated using a cost-benefits analysis including installation costs, operating costs for the land required for construction, maintenance costs and human resources costs. Public consultations with the various interest groups in the region, including elected officials, First Nations and local businesses, are scheduled to take place throughout the project, and a citizens’ monitoring committee will be set up. A five-year strategic plan will also be developed to implement recommendations that emerge from the feasibility study. The two systems under study (anaerobic digestion and cogeneration) have already proved successful in Europe but are not in widespread use in Canada or the United States. Since they can be built based on available biomass supply, they are adaptable and can be effective in regions of any size. This project is therefore an excellent model for any municipality that would like to reduce its energy dependence and enhance its residual materials management. (Project description from original funding application)