Field test of organic waste treatment in MRC des Basques
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector
Waste
Project value$264,201
Project Type
Pilot Project
Sub Sector
Composting
Grant amount$129,910
Program type
GMF
Municipality
MRC Les Basques, QC
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
8,873
Project timeline
2011 - 2013
Project number
10435
Description
The MRC des Basques field-tested the recovery of organic materials without collection in small municipalities that are far from treatment facilities.
Five area municipalities, in a pilot project, tried out three different types of waste recovery: household composting with various types of composters, municipal composting in village centres with modular composters, and municipal composting with modular industrial-style composters. Various absorbent materials and management methods were also tested, including full or partial management by an employee. The MRC organized information and awareness activities for the target public, as well as household follow-up by an information officer, with a view to recovering and processing 141 tonnes of household organic waste over a one-year period. The quantity and quality of the compost produced was then analyzed, as well as the citizen participation rate, equipment efficiency, and operating costs.
Depending on the results, the MRC planned to adapt the project for nine small municipalities in the region, boosting Les Basques’ diversion rate to over 50% while avoiding the need to add a third pick-up stream. A municipal project would eventually divert about 468 tonnes of organics from landfill per year, which is 60% of the potentially recyclable organic waste targeted in the MRC’s waste management plan, and corresponds to a reduction of about 486 tonnes of CO2 eq. In addition, the pride generated by success in an innovative project that requires a high level of participation by citizens could be a catalyst for other local initiatives.
(Project description from original funding application)
Applicant
MRC Les Basques, QC