The District of Kitimat will receive more than $910,000 from BC’s Organics Infrastructure Program to build a new composting facility.
Two-thirds of the project will be funded by provincial and federal governments and the District of Kitimat will fund the remaining project costs. This facility will tie in closely with Kitimat’s recently launched residential organics collection program.
The new facility estimates being able to process 1,500 tonnes of organic waste per year, which is estimated to save approximately 2,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Organic waste currently represents 40 per cent of material sent to municipal landfills in B.C. and generates 3.5 per cent of the province’s greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to reducing waste, the facility will create both jobs and high-quality compost; which can be used to improve soil quality and reduce food insecurity.
As stipulated in the Organics Infrastructure Program, the facility is to be finished and operational by March 31, 2024.
“We are putting in the time, effort and funding needed to improve Kitimat’s waste-collection system,” said Phil Germuth, mayor of the District of Kitimat. “We’re excited to add a new composting facility, which will significantly reduce our landfill waste and further our climate-action goals.”
The $30-million program combines as much as $10 million in federal funding from the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund, $10 million from the Province, and $10 million in matching funds from local government applicants and their partners. Since 2020, 16 recipients have received funding to expand their composting infrastructure.
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