Diversion of waste: the business case for going green: improving its organics diversion program helped the District of Mission, British Columbia, control storm water control and extend landfill life, among other benefits.

• Author: Younie, Michael
• Position: Solutions

This article originally ran in Volume 12, Issue 2, of the GFOA's Canadian Finance Matters newsletter.

The District of Mission, British Columbia, recently took steps to improve its comprehensive organics diversion program. The results have had a positive economic and environmental impact, including extended landfill life, storm water control, and even, somewhat unexpectedly, better meal planning.

Organic materials received at a typical municipal solid waste landfill include wood waste, yard waste, and food waste. Approximately 50 percent of residential waste collected at the curb is organic in nature--typically food waste scraps, but also food-contaminated cardboard, napkins, paper towels, etc. Organic material degrades in the landfill, in the absence of oxygen, to produce methane and other gases. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is approximately 21 times as potent as carbon dioxide generated by burning fossil fuels and is also a byproduct of composting.

Recently, the Region of Niagara, Ontario, commissioned a comprehensive study to determine the true cost of managing organic waste materials. The study undertook a full-cost accounting review of food waste and leaf-and-yard waste composting throughout the region, as compared to other waste management options such as landfill and waste-to-energy (WTE). Ultimately, the region determined that composting was far less costly than other disposal options.

DIVERSION PROGRAMS

The District of Mission had been diverting yard waste and food waste for many years, but it was not in a position to aggressively promote diversion of food waste because the receiving compost facility, in a neighboring community, was not able to receive large amounts of material. To address this issue, the district provided every residence within the curbside collection area with a 48-liter (12.7 gallon) food waste bin that was of durable construction, had a secure locking lid, and was designed to be easy to keep clean. At the same time, in June 2011, a private company was retained to start processing compost at the district-owned landfill site.

As a result, the district has realized savings in terms of transport costs to the previous composting company and expects to see further savings in curbside collection, as all trucks collecting organics, recycling, and garbage can now go to one location. The results to date are impressive, with approximately 50 percent of the food waste being diverted from the landfill. It is hoped that...