Quotes

“We are thrilled to partner with Town of Westlock and Strathcona County to expand our pilot and show how innovative circular models can reduce food waste while delivering positive and local economic, environmental, and social impact. Advancing circular solutions is critical to achieving a sustainable food system as well as Canada’s carbon and waste reduction goals. The cooperative model shared between rural and urban communities is unique and critical to building the scale needed to coordinate investment and make the services affordable. The fact that the valuable compost will be utilized on local farms whose products could be sold within the community where the organics are collected fully completes the circle. We hope the pilot inspires leadership and collaboration amongst other rural and semi-urban communities across Canada.” – Jo-Anne St. Godard, Executive Director, Circular Innovation Council

“The Town of Westlock is proud to be taking a leading role in advancing a local circular food solution, capturing food scraps from businesses and institutions to create local compost that will be applied to local farmers fields.  This pilot builds on our residential organic waste diversion program, and we look forward to supporting an affordable option for businesses and institutions that also supports the Town of Westlock’s goal of keeping waste out of landfill and reducing our environmental impacts.” – Simone Wiley, Chief Administration Officer, Town of Westlock

“We are excited to welcome this pilot as it connects to our Waste Management Roadmap and the goal to get active participation from our business community in preventing and diverting waste from landfill. We know that affordability is essential to maximizing business and institutional organics diversion. This pilot has shown promising results in other jurisdictions, showing that businesses and communities can work cooperatively to not only reduce the cost and considerable environmental impacts of food waste, but also improve food access for community agencies and families facing food insecurity. We are excited to be able to invite businesses and institutions in Strathcona County to get involved.” – Leah Seabrook, Manager, Waste Services, Strathcona County

At Alberta Ecotrust, we believe that the key to a sustainable future lies in the power of collaboration. By bringing together industry leaders, government officials, Indigenous groups, and nonprofit organizations, we can build a strong foundation of trust and cooperation in pursuit of our vision of healthy ecosystems. That’s why we’re thrilled to support Circular Innovation Council and their partners who are leading the charge in creating a circular food economy by capturing food waste and promoting healthy communities, ensuring that everyone has access to good food, and reducing the environmental impact of the food system. – Rod Ruff, Vice President, Alberta Ecotrust Foundation