PEMBERTON, B.C. — Government officials have announced the Sea to Sky Soils composting facility in B.C. will receive a $1.3-million expansion to increase organics processing in order to produce more high-quality compost.
Officials said the expansion will help eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and create local jobs in the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD).
“One of the most important things people can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to divert organic waste from going into landfills,” said George Heyman, B.C.’s minister of environment and climate change strategy, in a press release. “These investments significantly reduce the release of methane greenhouse gases and create benefits for future food production and opportunities for agricultural communities — an important part of our economic recovery.”
Pemberton-based Sea to Sky Soils and Composting Inc. is currently at capacity for the amount of organic waste it can process. The company produces compost and soil amendments for local farmers and residents in the SLRD, which assists local food production and eliminates the need to obtain compost from other jurisdictions.
“Our community is growing, and the residents in our region are very keen to support environmental sustainability and to be able to access local compost and soil,” said Tony Rainbow, board chair of the SLRD. “The demand is outstripping what Sea to Sky Soils can both take in and produce, so this expansion is a very welcome project. The SLRD is pleased to be able to partner with Sea to Sky Soils in this program for the benefit of our region.”
The Sea to Sky project is among 12 other organics infrastructure projects announced to date. The province said the projects will cut 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030. The reduction is similar to removing 100,000 cars from the roads for a year, officials said. Organic waste represents 40 per cent of material sent to municipal landfills in B.C. and generates 7.5 per cent of the province’s greenhouse gas emissions.
“I am pleased to see the Sea to Sky Soils composting facility working to reduce emissions, divert waste from landfills, and produce clean and useful compost right here in our community,” said Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country. “The Government of Canada continues to work closely with the provinces and territories to support good projects, such as this one, that help us in the transition to a low-carbon economy. By working together, we can ensure a greener, more prosperous future for our children and grandchildren.”
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