City of Vernon gets grant for new food and yard waste collection program, will include curbside pickup

Photo: Contributed

The City of Vernon have received funding for a new food and yard waste collection program to serve more than 14,000 homes within the City.

The city received a grant of $936,720 from the CleanBC – Organics Infrastructure and Collection Program toward the $1.4 million project,.

The funding will help the city roll out the food and yard waste collection program to all single family and some multi-family residential homes in the community

“I’m so pleased the province is supporting Vernon as we actively take steps to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mayor Victor Cumming. “This grant will support the purchase of organics bins for residential homes, as well as our ability to help the community to understand and participate in organics diversion.”

The program is still in the planning phase and is anticipated to begin in Summer 2022.

The residential organics collection program is expected to increase the city’s collection capacity by 1,800 wet tonnes annually, and will replace the community compost bin program which was put in place temporarily, until a residential program could be developed.

“Taking the next steps in organics collection is a big deal for Vernon, and is just one more way we are implementing our Climate Action Plan,” said Cumming. “Small changes to the way we operate in our daily lives can make a big difference – and this is a good example of how the entire community can participate in climate action.”

More information about the city’s food and yard waste collection program will be released in the new year.