On-Island Composting Facility
A composting facility is being considered to process Bowen Island’s organic waste. The facility would be built at the Bowen Island Recycling Depot (BIRD) site and help us achieve the following goals:
- Reduce costs currently spent on transporting our food and yard waste to the mainland.
- Reduce our Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
- Close the organic waste management loop.
- Increase food security.
The Hot Rot© in-vessel composting system made by Global Composting Solutions is being considered for the management of Bowen Island’s green waste. This system was chosen because it has a relatively small physical footprint and an odour control guarantee; produces no leachate and minimal condensate; and is of suitable capacity for Bowen’s green waste volumes. There are currently over 20 installations operating around the world (3 in Canada), many with similar conditions to Bowen Island.
The estimated capital cost for the recommended facility is $1,086,500. In a cost benefit analysis reflecting 2019 waste volumes and 2020 transportation costs and tipping fees, a cost of $13,000 per year was calculted for the on-island composting facility. A similar increase in green waste volume as last year (to 625 tonnes) would result in the facility breaking even. If grant funding is obtained, or tipping fees are increased as expected, the facility would bring in a profit.
Phases
Project Review
The possibility of an on-island composting facility began as a community-driven initiative and has been investigated by the Municipality through former committees.
The Knick Knack Nook commissioned two reports:
- An investigation of three composting technologies in the Bowen Island Organic Resource Recovery Report by Morganne Keplar in 2011.
- A feasibility analysis of the Gore Cover composting system Organic Processing Facility Feasibility Analysis by Net Zero Waste Inc. in 2014.
In 2015, Council struck the On-Island Composting Facility Working Group (OICFWG) to provide a report and recommendations regarding proceeding with a facility.
Completing a feasibility study was identified by the OICFWG as part of the next phase in a five-phased work plan. The feasibility study was also identified in the 2017 & 2019 Island Plans as a priority, and in the 2017 Bowen Island Community Energy and Emissions Plan as a key action to be completed in 2018.
However, at the time, relatively low tipping fees and green waste volumes meant business as usual was affordable and it was uncertain whether an on-island composting facility was economically viable. No further work was undertaken in 2017 and 2018.