Sustainable Energy Generation Projects
Kitchener is United by the Organic Waste Diversion Pilot
Kalina N — November 25, 2019
A new energy generation project is running in downtown Kitchener and its span covers a year starting July 2019. Dubbed the Organic Waste Diversion Pilot, the initative is eco-conscious and is launched by the Business Improvement Area (BIA).
The energy generation project is an attempt to extend the values of the circular economy by repurposing organic waste and food scraps as a means of power. According to statistics, the "cost of Canada's annual food waste is $49 billion." Combined with the state of the environment, the BIA looks for ways to alleviate stress on both sides. So far, 13 businesses, most of which are restaurants, are participants in the Organic Waste Diversion Pilot. They collect their food waste in a special compartment and those contents are sent to a processing plant in Elmira to be repurposed as green energy. As of October 26th, the energy generation project has collected a total of 83 tonnes of waste, which is "enough to power 36 homes for a month."
