Food Waste Problem

This Memo is an information report regarding the Green Bin Program curbside collection, one of Canada’s solutions to the food waste problem in landfills. Since 1998 it’s been making its way across Canada. This year Brandon has adopted the program and Winnipeg may be next. I thought it would be informative for us to know the food waste problem in Canada, what this program is, and the progress it has made so far.

Food Waste Problem in Canada

In 2014 Value Chain Management International revisited their 2010 report that estimated a $27 billion value of annual food waste in Canada. Their new findings show a significantly higher amount. We found that the quantifiable value of food waste in Canada is actually $31 billion. This 15 percent increase

stems from new knowledge and insights that were not known to us in 2010. About 47 percent of food is wasted at home. Households can waste up to $1,456 worth of food annually. A portion of organic waste are found decomposing in landfills which produces a greenhouse gas called methane and is a contributor to climate change.

The Green Bin Program

Much like the black garbage and blue recycle bins the green bin is another waste disposal specifically for biodegradable waste or compostable materials. This third bin helps people sort out organic waste and materials which prevents it from going into landfills. Instead these organic wastes will be sent to industrial composting facilities to be turned into compost.

Households have the option and are encouraged to have backyard composting as it is cost free. But not everyone will want to do it or have the proper equipment to compost difficult organic waste like meat and feces. This is most likely to engage residents, but is the most costly option for municipalities as a result of the higher collection costs and provision of suitable carts or bins for temporary household organics storage. It is also the simplest program to manage, fitting into established methods of garbage and recyclable material collection.