A local group is looking for community input on a curbside organics waste diversion program, part of a plan to organize a potential pilot program next year for City of Powell River and Powell River Regional District (PRRD).
An organics survey is being circulated by the Let’s Talk Trash Team in order to gauge the community’s thoughts on a curbside diversion program for food scraps and yard waste.
While a similar survey was conducted by the regional district two years ago, according to PRRD’s manager of community services Mike Wall this particular survey is intended to assess public support before moving forward with a pilot diversion program in the fall of 2016.
The survey targets residents and businesses in the city and regional district. Beyond asking respondents where they live and if they would support curbside collection of organics, the survey also asks if they would be interested in a potential pilot program.
“If we can use the survey to pinpoint where people are interested in a potential pilot that would be great,” said Wall. “Then we can potentially have a full diversion program in effect by the end of 2016.”
With this year seeing a record number of bears in town looking for food on fruit trees and in composts, a successful curbside organics diversion program would require a wildlife management strategy.
“We are hoping to make a selection of an organics processor we want to work with in January,” said Wall. “Part of that is assessing their wildlife-management strategies.”
With bears in mind, Let’s Talk Trash Team member Abby McLennan said the team has worked to develop solutions with local WildSafeBC’s community coordinator Francine Ulmer.
“We’ve looked at other communities and having curbside organics diversion has the potential for reducing wildlife conflict,” said McLennan. “People are more aware of organic waste as a potential bear attractant. So they mitigate, for example, by locking organic waste away and only putting it out on the morning of collection.”
According to Wall, the small size of the potential pilot program means organics would likely be processed on Vancouver Island or the Lower Mainland at first. But as the program gained momentum there would be potential for diversion program to be composting soil in Powell River.
“For this to work and be economical in the long run we need the majority of businesses and residents to get involved,” said Wall.
For more information or to complete the organics survey, readers can go to letstalktrashpr.com. Paper versions of the survey can also be found at the regional district office, Powell River Recreation Complex and Powell River Public Library.
Deadline for completing the survey is Tuesday, December 1.
