Salmon Arm businesses have taken big step towards what might be the next big move in waste reduction.
With a successful curbside recycling program in place, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District has initiated a study into the feasibility of “diverting residential and commercial food waste” with a composting program. However, several business have already begun doing it themselves. Composting stations have been set up at Table 24, McDonalds, Okanagan College and in the inner core parking lot to accommodate downtown businesses.
“This is a huge step in our solid waste management plan moving towards zero waste,” says CSRD waste reduction facilitator Carmen Fennell in a news relese. “These businesses took the initiative of managing a huge portion of their waste in a totally sustainable manner.”
Collected commercial food waste will be composted at Spa Hills Farm, which can take everything from dairy to meat products, and even soiled paper napkins, which don’t ordinarily go in backyard composters says Fennell.
In a recent presentation to Salmon Arm council, Downtown Salmon Arm general manager Joanne Mason said many of the downtown businesses participating in the program are doing so at a cost.
“The cost of garbage is expensive, and some of them have taken a huge step forward and biting the financial bullet to make sure their waste is not going to the landfill,” said Mason, “but rather, being organically composted, and I think those businesses should be applauded.”
Anyone wanting to reduce what they send to landfill and needing information may contact Fennell at 250-832-8194.
