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Kamloops has been given the green light for a new curbside food waste collection program, meaning the Central Okanagan is the only region not currently moving forward with a public collection program.

Kamloops council voted in favour of a curbside food collection program and formerly adopted a bylaw for the city, Aug. 16.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan doesn't currently have a curbside food scrap program in place and isn’t looking to implement one any time soon, according to its waste management plan. 

Right now, food waste goes to the landfill where it breaks down and is collected as methane that is fed back into the Fortis B.C. natural gas system.

READ MORE: One bin or three? That's the choice facing recyclers in the Central Okanagan

Some concern was expressed about a decrease in the amount of gas generated if organics are diverted but, Kelowna staff said in a report previously presented to council, there’s enough material already buried to generate gas for another 15 years, just at a declining rate.

Vernon’s organic collection program began earlier this year. Lumby and Armstrong also have food waste collection programs, according to the Regional District of North Okanagan.

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In the South Okanagan, the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen, Oliver and Summerland all received provincial grants to put towards organic waste collection programs. 

A number of composting facilities are being developed in the South Okanagan — in Summerland, Oliver and Penticton — with the collection of curbside food waste expected to follow, according to Andrea Rendall, communications coordinator with the regional district, via email.

A composting facility is currently being constructed in Oliver with competition expected in November this year. It will be operational by the spring of 2023 and will process compost, yard and agricultural waste and domestic food waste, she Rendall.

Oliver is expected to get a pilot program for curbside collection next year. Summerland’s curbside food waste collection is also expected to begin in 2023 with a new composting facility being constructed at its landfill.

The regional district has also partnered with the City of Penticton and is proposing a new composting facility at 1313 Greyback Rd. It is currently under review with the Agricultural Land Commission and will be designed to replace an existing biosolids facility at the Campbell Mountain Landfill.

“The facility will compost yard waste, prunings, agricultural waste, biosolids, and domestic and commercial food waste. If supported by the (land commission), construction is likely to be completed in late 2024,” she said.

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