The city of Cold Lake is advancing its efforts to tackle food waste with a new recycling initiative. During the August 27 regular council meeting, the council approved a motion to refer a proposal for a food recycling pilot project to its Corporate Priorities Committee. The committee will evaluate the project’s potential benefits and provide recommendations for the next steps.
This decision follows an August 13 presentation by Jacob Hanlon, coordinator for Food Cycle Science Corporation, who highlighted the advantages of municipal food waste diversion programs. Hanlon explained how the solutions developed by his organization could help Cold Lake reduce organic waste and promote sustainable practices.
CAO Kevin Nagoya noted that the council has shown interest in food waste programs, especially during the winter months, after learning about various products aimed at reducing organic waste. However, he pointed out that financial challenges could arise with such programs, likely requiring subsidies or additional fees on utility bills. He stressed the need for a careful evaluation of costs and benefits, suggesting a balanced approach in considering this program alongside other community initiatives.
Nagoya suggested that the council consider a pilot project to assess the feasibility of implementing a food recycling program. “It needs to be very measured and balanced with regard to other initiatives and costs within the community,” he said, underscoring the importance of using data-driven decision-making to determine the program’s potential success.
The proposal will now be reviewed by the Corporate Priorities Committee, which will assess its cost-effectiveness and overall sustainability before making a recommendation on whether to proceed with full-scale implementation.
