In partnership with Food Cycle Science, the District of Sicamous will offer 100 FoodCycler™ units at a subsidized price to residents to use in their homes. Two different-sized units will be available - the FoodCycler FC-30 and FoodCycler Eco 5.
The pilot project will ask participating households to track their waste diversion over the course of a 12-week period by keeping track of how often they run their FoodCycler™.
Each FoodCycler™ is estimated to divert at least two tonnes of food over its expected lifetime. Based on average market rates of $100 per tonne of waste (fully burdened), 100 households participating would divert 200 tonnes of food waste and save the municipality an estimated $20,000 in costs.
The FoodCycler™ Pilot Program will measure the feasibility of in-home composting of food waste to reduce the impact on landfills and our environment.
The pilot program is 12 weeks in length (start date to be determined)
100 households can participate (one unit per household)
To register you must be a District of Sicamous resident
Participants will purchase the FoodCycler™ from the District of Sicamous
Participants will be required to complete a tracking sheet and one online survey upon conclusion of the 12-week pilot
Participants will receive a guide listing common acceptable materials, and hints and tips
Participating households will keep the FoodCycler™ following the conclusion of the pilot program
Pilot program registrations are being accepted until January 19
Program Phase
Anticipated Timeline
Registration
Open until Friday, January 19
FoodCycler™ Shipment
February
FoodCycler™ Distribution
TBD
Pilot Program & Survey
TBD (12 weeks)
Data Collection & Report
TBD
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The typical retail value of the FoodCycler™ products ranges from $500 to $800.
With the subsidy from Food Cycle Science, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Impact Canada challenge, and the District contribution, the units will be sold at a reduced cost.
FoodCycler FC-30 - $150 + GST/PST
FoodCycler Eco 5 - $300 + GST/PST
The District contribution to subsidize the program is $11,400. The contribution is fully grant-funded through the Local Government Climate Action Program.
How much energy does the unit consume?
Each cycle consumes approximately 0.8-1.5 kWh per cycle, which is roughly equivalent to having a desktop computer running for the same amount of time as the cycle. Depending on where you live, using the FoodCycler™ regularly should not cost you more than $2 to $4 per month. The FoodCycler™ has built-in sensor technology that monitors the dryness and humidity of the food waste. Once complete, the unit will stop the cycle automatically.
How long does the cycle last?
In the FoodCycler™ Maestro™, a typical cycle takes between 4-9 hours for the food waste to become completely dehydrated and processed into the by-product. For the FC-30 units it takes four to eight hours for the food waste to become completely dehydrated and processed. The time needed depends on the amount of food waste being processed, the density of the food wastes and the moisture levels contained in each. Please note that these estimates exclude the unit's cooling time which lasts less than a half hour on average.
How long will my filters last?
The carbon filters last between three to four months with regular use, or 500 cycle hours. The life expectancy of the carbon filters is determined by the moisture content of the food waste and the natural odours of the food waste. Denser, wetter and smellier food wastes will go through filters much faster than simple veggie scraps and egg shells. The filter light sensor is a guide only - the best indication of whether your filters require replacement is odour. Please see your device manual for instructions to reset the filter light. Replacement filters can be purchased online.
Where can I store my FoodCycler™?
Nearly any covered area with access to an outlet. The FoodCycler™ must be in a closed, dry environment where there is no risk of it being rained on or otherwise subjected to the elements. Possible locations include heated garages, basements, pantries, or your kitchen.
What should I cycle?
The best cycle is one with a lot of variety. See FoodCycler™ dos and don'ts for more information.
