Politics & Government

University Park STEP-UP Eyes Compost Program

The group set to help the town become more energy efficient will pilot a composting program in town.

University Park's is looking to expand beyond residents' homes and start some town-wide initiatives.

One of their new initiatives could be a town-wide composting program, but first they will be hosting a pilot and study to identify issues and successes.

STEP-UP Chairman Chuck Wilson about the pilot program on Monday.

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Wilson said the pilot program will run for 6 months and be open to 50 residents who have already signed up for STEP-UP. If the spots don't fill then they will open it up to the rest of the town.

The general idea of the pilot program is to figure out how it might work for University Park residents, whether the infrastructure is available, whether it would cost residents any additional money and if there would be any issues with vermon, pick up or smells.

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"Cost aside, there might be better reasons to do this," Wilson said, noting the environmental benefits of decreasing methane levels in landfills.

The pilot will help STEP-UP collect the data they need to go back and pitch an official program to council.

"We want to propose a model that’s cost effective," he added, noting that after STEP-UP's three-year program, the town might continue these programs with town funds.

So far, Wilson said 180 residents have signed up for STEP-UP.

There is one company in the region that collects compost door-to-door. Currently, STEP-UP is working to contract them for this pilot, so they can pick up compost from residents once a week. They then take the compost to in Edmonston.

 

"The bins have a compostable liner and are sealed," Wilson added. "We want to pilot it in a way that avoids most of the composting issues."

The pilot program will be fully funded by grant money through STEP-UP.


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