FoodCycler Units are sold out. Any registration forms submitted will be added to a waitlist.
You asked, and we delivered!
In response to the Environmental Services survey, residents asked for composting services and incentives. We are excited to announce that we have entered into an agreement with Food Cycle Science to establish a pilot program that would allow
100 FoodCycler machines to be purchased by residents of Blackfalds in exchange for recording their usage over the course of the program. Once the pilot program is complete, the FoodCycler machine is yours to keep!
The FoodCycler is an indoor compost alternative that speeds up the natural decomposition process through the aerobic digestion of waste. This "small but mighty" machine is perfect for your kitchen counter! You can find more information on the FoodCycler in the drop-down menus below.
Cost:
FoodCycle Science offers a Municipal Pilot Program that is subsidized and supported by Impact Canada through funding received from the Government of Canada.
The FoodCycler discount is $200, or $250, depending on the size purchased, and the Town of Blackfalds' subsidy is $100 for any purchase. Through this collaboration, the Town has secured one hundred (100) units for purchase by Town residents at a reduced price. 
FoodCycler FC-30 (2.5L bucket) : $150 +gst
FoodCycler Maestro (5L bucket) : $300 +gst
Please note that only one entry per household is permitted.
Units will not be available for take-home until fee has been paid.
This program is anticipated to be very popular and we suspect supplies to sell out quickly. Once supplies are sold, your order will be wait-listed.
Important Dates
- Registration for the pilot program is April 2 - 16 (Registration opens April 2 via online form.)
- Delivery of the units expected April 29
- 12-week pilot project begins May 6 – July 29 , during which residents will start to log their usage.
Pilot Program Information:
- Purchase a FoodCycler unit
- Track the number of cycles over a 12-week period
- Complete a survey at the end of the 12-week period
Each household that receives a FoodCycler will be asked to track how many “cycles” they run their FoodCycler through each week. For example, if you fill your FoodCycler up with organic waste and run the machine once per day for a week, you will mark down that you ran your unit 7 times. This tracking allows FoodCycle Science and the Municipality to estimate the total waste diversion achieved over the 12-week pilot program. At the end of the 12 weeks, participants are asked to fill out an exit survey, providing their review of the program and any other feedback they may have. The survey results are used to evaluate the program's success.
Food Cycle Science is looking to receive high-quality data from the pilot program participants regarding food waste diversion, as well as receive high-quality feedback from residents, staff, and council regarding the feasibility of a FoodCycler™ food waste diversion program for Blackfalds and similar communities (data to be submitted to Impact Canada). It would also demonstrate the viability of the technology and solutions in a municipal setting so the model can be redeployed in other similar communities in Canada.
This pilot program has several benefits for Blackfalds, such as an opportunity to trial a home-based food waste diversion solution at a cost well below market prices and increasing waste diversion rates, therefore, decreasing waste disposal costs.
To order additional supplies such as filters, please click HERE
For questions & concerns related to your food cycler, please email info@foodcycler.com or check out our Resident FoodCycle Guide!
What is a FoodCycler?
The FoodCycler™ is a closed-loop indoor compost alternative that speeds up the natural decomposition process through aerobic digestion of waste. The unit dries and grinds food waste into a dry, odorless nutrient-rich by-product that is significantly reduced in weight and volume from its unprocessed state. The product is free from bacteria, weed seeds, and food-borne pathogens that were eliminated during the process.
Benefits of the FoodCycler™:
- Up to 90% volume reduction
- Quiet, compact, odourless operation
- Easy to clean, easy to operate, no special training or skills required
- Quick (compared to composting, the FoodCycler™ processes food waste in hours, instead of months)
- Produces a valuable soil amendment, low in odour, and less attractive to wildlife.
- Reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) impact vs. landfill.
Discussions with Food Cycle Science have indicated that based on previous pilot projects in other Canadian municipalities, the Town of Blackfalds has the opportunity to divert approximately 40 Metric Tonnes of organic waste from the landfill per year with just 100 units.
Click HERE to view a short video.
Why should I participate?
Did you know that up to 50% of household waste is composed of food waste? By helping your municipality address food waste, you are supporting your community’s environmental initiatives, while reducing your carbon footprint.
Resident Benefits of participating in the pilot project:
- Opportunity to own an at-home food waste diversion solution at a cost well below market prices
- Support climate change goals by reducing waste going to landfill
- Ability to fertilize your garden soil by generating a nutrient-rich soil amendment
- Reduce the “ick factor” of garbage to keep animals and vermin away
- Reduce trips to the waste site and save on excess waste fees where applicable
How do I use the FoodCycler?
It's very easy to use the FoodCycler! Just add your food waste to the bucket, put the bucket into the unit, and press start! Your result: product that can be used to assist in growing your garden.
Need more information? Check out the FoodCycler User Manual for more details!
How do I participate?
Fill out the form below to get started! We will help you with the next steps of payment, shipment and delivery.
*Registration form will be available April 2*
What is required of me?
Not much! Purchase a FoodCycler™ from us at a subsidized cost, track your use once a week for a period of 12 weeks using our Pilot Project Tracking Sheet and then answer a brief exit survey.
How do you collect payment?
There are a few ways you can pay for your discounted FoodCycler!
Online Banking: Add BlackfaldsAR as a payee in your online banking (using the customer ID code on your utility bills as the account number)
Where to find your Customer ID Code
Credit Card: Give us a call, and we will take your payment over the phone via credit card
Debit/Cash: Come down to the office, and we'll be happy to take your payment in person at the front
Drop-Box: Leave your payment in our drop-box at the Civic Cultural Centre front doors after hours.
If you have any questions about online payment, or payment in general, please give us a call at the Civic Centre! 403.885.4677