News Release
December 10, 2021
BOWEN ISLAND – Bowen Island Municipality is thrilled to announce that an application for funding of an on-island composting facility has been approved through the Clean BC Organics Infrastructure and Collections Program. A grant of $1.02 million will contribute two thirds of the capital financing for the in-vessel composting facility which will keep green waste on island, provide good-quality compost for island gardens, reduce tipping fee charges, and lower greenhouse gas emissions resulting from transportation of green waste off the island.
A facility to process organic waste on the island began as a community-driven initiative over 10 years ago and has been identified as a priority in the Municipality’s Island Plan since 2017, when it became apparent that tipping fees for removal of organic waste from the island were becoming unaffordable.
The Municipality’s 2021 Island Plan listed advancement of an on-island composting facility as one of the vital steps in Bowen Island’s Climate Action Program.
“The provincial funding of this program is greatly appreciated.” said Mayor Gary Ander. “The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the transportation of organic waste is only one of the benefits we will see from this project. Overall, it is one way Bowen can contribute to being a lower carbon community.”
The Hot Rot© in-vessel composting system, which will be located at the Bowen Island Recycling Depot (BIRD) site is ideal for Bowen because it has a relatively small physical footprint and an odour control guarantee; the system produces no leachate and minimal condensate; and is just the right capacity for Bowen’s green waste volumes.
While the CleanBC grant will provide two thirds of the financing, Bowen Island Municipality will borrow the remainder of the equipment financing from the Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia (up to $404,500). Operationally, the facility will pay for itself. Revenues from the sale of compost and savings in tipping fees will offset the capital cost, and by year six, the facility will generate a profit – the proceeds of which can help pay for other climate action initiatives.