Food waste diversion pilot program launched in Sioux Lookout

Tim Brody - Editor

A pilot program to increase home composting and divert tons of food waste from the Hidden Lake Landfill launched on June 26 in Sioux Lookout.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout entered into an agreement with FoodCycle Science to establish the pilot program, which allows 85 FoodCycler machines to be purchased by Sioux Lookout residents at discounted rates of $150.00 plus HST for the FC-30 model, normally $500.00, and $300.00 plus HST for the Maestro model, normally $800.00. 
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout has informed that these discounted rates are available in exchange for users recording their usage over the course of 12 weeks. Once the pilot program is complete, the FoodCycler machine can continue to be used without further obligation. 
The pilot program will run from Monday, July 17 through Sunday, October 8.
The Municipality informed in a June 19 media release that, “Each household that receives a FoodCycler will be asked to track how many “cycles” they run their FoodCycler through each week. For example, if you fill your FoodCycler up with organic waste and run the machine once per day for a week, you will mark down that you ran your unit 7 times. This tracking allows FoodCycle Science and the Municipality of Sioux Lookout to estimate the total waste diversion achieved over the course of the pilot program. At the end of the 12 weeks, participants are asked to fill out an exit survey, providing their review of the program and any other feedback they may have. The survey results are used to evaluate the program’s success.” 
The Municipality informed that, “FoodCycle Science is looking to receive high-quality data from the pilot program participants regarding food waste diversion, as well as receive feedback from residents, staff, and council regarding the feasibility of a FoodCycler food waste diversion program for the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and similar communities. It would also demonstrate the viability of the technology and solutions in a municipal setting so the model can be redeployed in similar communities across Canada.”
“The FoodCycler is very quick, compared to traditional composting,” explained Economic Development Officer, Jennifer Esposito. “It processes food waste in a matter of hours instead of months. It is easy to clean and operate and doesn’t require any special training to use. Using a FoodCycler reduces our greenhouse gas impact and reduces the volume of waste going to the landfill. The benefits should be easily measurable.” 
The Municipality informed that 85 total units (both large and small) were made available for the pilot program. 
Pre-registration was paused until June 26, and at that time, 20 units remained available.
The Municipality informed, “There are currently no plans to order more, as this is a pilot program. It’s also important to note that those who purchase them at the subsidized rate get to keep them after the pilot.”
Those who pre-registered for a unit can pick them up on Monday, July 10th, Tuesday, July 11th, or by appointment in the Development Services department on the 2nd floor of the Municipal Office, 25 Fifth Avenue. 
“Any of the 85 available units that are NOT pre-ordered will be available to residents of Sioux Lookout on a first-come, first-served basis while they last from Wednesday, July 12th, through Friday, July 14th. They may be purchased from the Finance Department on the main floor of the Municipal Office,” the Municipality shared.
Only one FoodCycler purchase per household is permitted. 
For more information on the FoodCycler pilot program, to pre-register to purchase a unit, or download the Resident Guide to the program, please visit our website at https://slkt.me/foodcycler.