Penticton directors voice approval for regional composting initiative

Regional board directors and particularly Penticton directors voiced their collective enthusiasm over a staff recommendation that would provide impetus for a composting facility.

A staff recommendation calling for a grant application for funds to build a regional composting facility was approved at today’s, Jan. 9, regional district board meeting.

Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen chief executive officer Bill Newell told the board the regional district had been studying possible sites for a regional composting facility for several years and had recently approved a site for Oliver.

A search for another more northern site has centred around the Campbell Mountain landfill, with the regional district looking at several properties in the area.

Newell said board authority was required in order for the regional district to apply for a grant that would fund up to 83 per cent of capital costs, if successful.

Newell said discussion with landowners for a possible property purchase also needed to be initiated.

RDOS manager of operations Andrew Reeder told the board benefits of a composting facility included a potential 25 per cent reduction in landfill use, and the production of compost for local agricultural use.

Penticton director Julius Bloomfield voiced his “full support” for the initiative, while Penticton director Katie Robinson called it “really long overdue.”

Penticton director Jake Kimberley said he was in support of extending the life at the landfill.

“Anything to do with landfill is going to be expensive,” he said.

Penticton director Frank Regehr also expressed his support.

Next steps will depend on the regional district’s success in wining a grant. Reeder says if successful with a grant award this fall, it would take between six months and a year to build the facility, following which the regional district would implement a curbside program.

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