The City of London is revisiting waste diversion and the possibility of starting a green bin program.
As it stands right now, 45% of all residential curbside waste headed to the landfill is organic material. When it comes to multi-residential buildings, 35% of that waste is organic material.
In an effort to make sure food does not end up rotting at the dump, the city is looking at four different initiatives which include a food waste prevention program, community composting, green bin collection and managing organics for energy content.
If the city were to implement a weekly green bin program in 2015, the estimated cost is $3-million or an extra $25 per year for each household.
However, to provide weekly same day garbage and recycling pickup would cost another $1.2-million or an additional $10 per year for each household.
On top of those costs, between $7 to $9-million is needed for the carts and new trucks required for collection.
The previous council rejected green bins due to the cost.
In 2014, London's waste diversion rate stood at 45%. Between recycling and composting residents were able to keep about 45% of household waste out of landfills.
Since landfills are costly, the city is looking at ways to increase London's waste diversion rate.
The average rate for similar municipalities is 51%.
City staff will further study the idea and report back to council.