NANAIMO – New Democrat MLAs Routley and Malcolmson say an expanded organic waste project in the Nanaimo Regional District will help decrease greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs and produce compost for residents.

“Disposing of waste in the least harmful way possible is critical in the fight against climate change, and that’s why we are expanding the capacity of our local compost facility to process more waste and covert it into high-quality compost,” said Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan. “As part of our vision for a cleaner B.C., this project will also create more high-quality and sustainable jobs for people in our community.”

This project expansion, part of the the BC NDP government’s CleanBC Organic Infrastructure and Collection Program, will receive $3 million to up their capacity to serve more than 167,000 residents and produce Class A compost for local wholesalers to make available for retail use.

“Composting waste in this way fights climate change so we are especially glad to fund the RDN’s facility expansion,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo. “People in Nanaimo care about climate action and diverting waste from landfills, and this important project will do both.”

Launched in 2020, the program is providing up to $25.9 million, over three years, to communities to develop or expand their ability to divert organic waste from landfills. Through cost-sharing arrangements, the funding recipients are contributing at least one-third of eligible project costs.

Investing in organic waste diversion is one part of a much bigger picture. CleanBC is the province’s pathway to a more prosperous, balanced and sustainable future. It supports our BC NDP government’s commitment to climate action to meet B.C.’s emission targets and build a cleaner, stronger economy for everyone.

Learn More:

For more information on B.C.’s Organics Infrastructure and Collection Program, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021ENV0071-002313

To learn more about CleanBC, visit: www.cleanbc.gov.bc.ca