Photo: Peachland District
Compost food waste.
Food waste will go into a green landfill under plans for a curbside import program produced by the Central Okanagan region.
Food waste collection could begin as early as 2026, Cynthia Coates, solid waste manager, said Tuesday in a presentation to Peachland council.
If the program continues, household waste will be picked up every week while garbage will be picked up every other week.
Coates said other options, including separate bins for food waste, were being looked at, but “combining” household waste and food waste was recommended for now.
The local district will still make the final decision.
A survey showed 68% support for a food waste collection program in Peachland, 75% in West Kelowna, 76% in Kelowna and 72% in Lake Country, Coates said.
Across the region, “49% are willing to pay at least $66 per year to have a food waste collection program,” the report showed. That’s the lowest cost for the program shown in the survey, he said.
In Peachland, “51% are willing to pay at least $66 per year.
“We know that bi-weekly waste collection and weekly recycling is an opportunity for great growth, as we have seen from other cities that do it this way. It makes people increase their conversion rate,” he said.
Councilors want to know if the county has contacted Brenda Renewables, which plans to mine the former Brenda Mine site, above Peachland.
“I know Brenda Renewables is ready to start receiving as soon as possible,” said Coun. Rick Ingram.
“We’re very aware of it, but in terms of the discussion about finishing there, that hasn’t happened yet,” Coates replied.
Mayor Patrick Van Minsel said he and Administrator Joe Creron are involved in discussions with Brenda, West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation “to start a pilot program.”
The district’s program would need to include a drop-off point, a drop-off point for household waste and a processing point, and those would take time to set up, Coates said.
Together. Keith Thom asked if the channel would have a locking mechanism.
Coates said the lock-up area has not been found. Keeping the channel indoors until collection day is the best solution to get rid of wild animals, he said.
Together. Alena Glasman asked if pet waste should be left in the bank.
Coates said that hasn’t been decided yet.
Glasman said she doesn’t have a place to store her garbage inside, but throwing the pet waste in keeps the bears away.
“My parts don’t fit in my garage … My garbage has never been hit by a bear. That’s because I put pet waste in it. As soon as they cook the dog, they want to leave it alone,” he said.
Inconsistent pickup times and leaving food waste in the curb even for a few hours on pickup days raised concerns.
Together. Randey Brophy said it won’t take long for food waste and curbs to become a problem.
He said: “It will stink. “We have a bear problem here, and we’re going to have a very variable migration season,” he said.
Together. David Collins complained that inconsistent lift times were a problem in his area.
“If you’re going to get food waste, everything from vegetables to meat and things mixed with household waste, and it’s sitting there all day, it’s more prone to bears.”
Collins said many bins in his area were not picked up on Tuesday.
“Imagine if there were leftover steaks on those blocks?”
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