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Media Release with Photos Attached
For Immediate Release
April 2, 2015
Saanich’s Greener Garbage Collection Turns One
Saanich, B.C. – In the 12 months since the launch of the curbside cart Greener Garbage Collection
program, Saanich residents have recycled approximately 8,000 tonnes of compostable kitchen
scraps, yard and garden waste. This effort has reduced greenhouse gas (tCO2e) emissions in the
community by more than 2,000 tonnes.
“Saanich residents have embraced our waste collection and recycling program. Transitioning to
Greener Garbage Collection has required everyone’s participation, and I am pleased to say that this
past year has been a great success,” said Harley Machielse, Director of Engineering.
Recycling kitchen scraps extends the life of the Hartland landfill, turns a valuable resource into a
useful product, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing emissions supports Saanich’s
community emissions reduction goal of 33% by 2020.
“Our kitchen scrap collection represents an outstanding 32 per cent diversion of waste from the
Hartland landfill, and when you take into account yard and garden waste, it has a huge impact on
our sustainability,” said Machielse.
Households that already backyard compost are encouraged to continue to do so as it is the most
cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to dispose of food waste. Kitchen scrap recycling
accepts a wider range of food waste that may not be suitable for backyard composting such as
cooked food, meat, bones, fish, baked goods, food-soiled paper and soiled food packaging.
Saanich Greener Garbage Collection encourages garburator users to save wear and tear on
pipes and plumbing by putting kitchen scraps into their organics recycling carts instead.
“We look forward to increasing diversion and recycling rates over the next 12 months as more
households and strata properties embrace our Greener Garbage Collection system,” said
Machielse.
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Media Contact:
Harley Machielse, Director of Engineering
harley.machielse@saanich.ca
250-475-1775 ext. 5446