In the 12 months since the launch of the curbside cart Greener Garbage Collection program, Saanich residents have recycled approximately 8,000 tonnes of compostable kitchen scraps, yard and garden waste, according to District numbers, resulting in greenhouse gas (tCO2e) emissions reduction of more than 2,000 tonnes.
“Saanich residents have embraced our waste collection and recycling program. Transitioning to Greener Garbage Collection has required everyone’s participation, and I am pleased to say that this past year has been a great success,” said Harley Machielse, director of engineering.
Recycling kitchen scraps helps reach Saanich’s community emissions reduction goal of 33 per cent by 2020 as well.
“Our kitchen scrap collection represents an outstanding 32 per cent diversion of waste from the Hartland landfill, and when you take into account yard and garden waste, it has a huge impact on our sustainability,” Machielse said.
Households that compost in backyards are encouraged to continue to do so as it is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to dispose of food waste. Kitchen scrap recycling accepts a wider range of food waste that may not be suitable for backyard composting such as cooked food, meat, bones, fish, baked goods, food-soiled paper and soiled food packaging.
Saanich Greener Garbage Collection encourages garburator users to save wear and tear on pipes and plumbing by putting kitchen scraps into their organics recycling carts instead.
“We look forward to increasing diversion and recycling rates over the next 12 months as more households and strata properties embrace our Greener Garbage Collection system,” Machielse said.
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