Foodcycler Pilot Program

The City of Cold Lake has entered into a partnership with Food Cycle Science to provide the opportunity for residents to take part in a 12 week pilot project with 100 FoodCycler Indoor Electric Composter.

The City will follow the Municipal Food Cycler Pilot Program Policy 238-OP-24 to ensure the program is administered fairly and efficiently. Residents who meet the guidelines of the policy to participate in the pilot program will purchase one of the FoodCycler units at a discounted price, in exchange with tracking the usage of the unit within the 12 week time period. The FoodCycler unit is yours to keep once the pilot project has completed.

For more information on the Municipal Food Cycler Pilot Program Policy, visit the City's Bylaws and Policies page.

The goal of this pilot project is to measure the mitigation of food waste in our waste streams through the use of at home waste processing technology. By tracking the use of your FoodCycler for a 12 week period, the City will calculate how much waste was saved from being taken into the local transfer station.

The City will be relying on information provided by the users of the FoodCycler during the trial period to determine the value of at home electric composting.

Cost

There are two sizes of Foodcycler units available.

Prices for both are:

FoodCycler ECO 3 (2.5L Capacity): $200 + GST

FoodCycler ECO 5 (5L Capacity): $300 + GST

Once approved for the program, you can visit City Hall to pay for your Foodcycler Unit. Once the units have arrived, you will be able to pick them up at the Cold Lake Public Works building.

Registration

To sign up to be part of this pilot program, click here and complete the form. You must be a resident of the City of Cold Lake to participate in the pilot program. Once the City has enough residents registered and all neighbourhoods within the City are represented, you will be notified if you have been chosen to participate in the pilot program.

Important Dates

Nov. 8, 2024 - Registration opens for residents to sign up for the FoodCycler Pilot Program

TBD - FoodCycler units will be available for pick up by residents

TBD - 12 Week pilot project begins. Click here to down load the Foodcycler Tracking Sheet.

Supplies

To purchase additional supplies for your Foodcycler unit, visit the online store by clicking here.

Make sure to keep your receipt as this will be required for any warranty claims.

Do's & Don't

While the Foodcycler is designed to handle most organic food waste and materials, some items can only be added within small amounts or cut up to ensure the unit can break down the materials efficiently. We have provided a list of materials that are accepted, and which cannot be placed in a Foodcycler.

FAQ

What is a FoodCycler?

The FoodCycler™ is a closed-loop indoor compost alternative that speeds up the natural decomposition process through aerobic digestion of waste. The unit dries and grinds food waste into a dry, odorless nutrient-rich by-product that is significantly reduced in weight and volume from its unprocessed state. The product is free from bacteria, weed seeds, and food-borne pathogens that were eliminated during the process.

Benefits of the FoodCycler™:

Up to 90% volume reduction
Quiet, compact, odourless operation
Easy to clean, easy to operate, no special training or skills required
Quick (compared to composting, the FoodCycler™ processes food waste in hours, instead of months)
Produces a valuable soil amendment, low in odour, and less attractive to wildlife.
Reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) impact vs. landfill.

Based on previous pilot projects in other Canadian municipalities, the City of Cold Lake has the opportunity to divert approximately forty (40) Metric Tonnes of organic waste from the transfer station per year with just 100 units.

How do I take part in the Pilot Project?

If you wish to register to take part in this 12 week pilot project, complete the online form by clicking here. Once you begin using your Foodcycler, you will need to record it's use. Once we have enough residents representing all locations within the City, we will notify you if you have been chosen to participate in the program.

Why should I participate?

Did you know that up to 50% of household waste is composed of food waste? By helping your municipality address food waste, you are supporting environmental initiatives, while reducing your carbon footprint.

Resident Benefits of participating in the pilot project:

Opportunity to own an at-home food waste diversion solution at a cost well below market prices
Support climate change goals by reducing waste going to landfill
Ability to fertilize your garden soil by generating a nutrient-rich soil amendment
Reduce the “ick factor” of garbage to keep animals and vermin away

What is required once I sign up?

Once you begin using your Foodcycler, you will need to record it's use. Complete the Foodcycler Tracking Sheet over the 12 week period and record how many cycles your unit runs. After the 12 weeks, a survey will be sent out which will ask questions regarding the use of your Foodcycler.

How do I get the FoodCycler to take part?

After paying for your Foodcycler, you will be contacted when your unit will be ready for pick up. When you pick up your Foodcycler unit, you will be adivsed when to start your 12 week tracking period has to be completed by.

How do I use the FoodCycler?

Download your Foodcycler user manual here:

- FoodCycler ECO 3

- FoodCycler ECO 5

What if I have questions?

If you have questions about registering for the Pilot Program, you can email city@coldlake.com or contact our Public Works building 780-594-4496. Information on the Foodcycler units can be found on their website by clicking here.