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1. When will the program begin?

The program is expected to begin its first phase of rollouts in mid-2022. The program will be implemented in phases to ensure smooth uptake in the community and will take 1-2 years to engage the whole community.

2. Who is eligible?

All residents living within Nelson's city limits will be eligible to participate in the organics diversion program however rollout will take place in phases.

3. What is a pre-treatment appliance? What does it do?

A pre-treatment appliance is an in-home clean technology that transforms food waste into a natural soil amendment. About the size of a bread maker, pre-treatment appliances pulverize and dehydrate food scraps breaking them down in a matter of hours. The weight and volume of food scraps are reduced by ~90%, leaving users with sterile biomass that is easy to store and can be used in backyard gardening or collected by the City.  

4. Why pre-treat organics?

Pre-treatment is an alternative method to a conventional curbside compost program. Pre-treatment works by mashing and dehydrating household food waste and produces a sterile and odour-free soil amendment that is ~90% less in weight and volume. Pre-treatment doesn’t attract pests, is easy to store, and requires fewer collection days than other curbside compost programs.

5. Will organics be included in our curbside pickup?

Organics will be collected up to 8 times a year, once the program is fully operational.