By the end of 2012, Bowen Island will be required to have no food waste in the garbage it trucks off the island, as set out by Metro Vancouver's waste management plan.
The municipality plans to develop a viable composting option on the island. The study will include green waste from fallen trees and land clearing. The Knick Kack Nook has also commissioned a study into composting initiatives.
The municipality will have to look at changes to the way it picks up garbage and the possibility of a private/public partnership.
"That gives us a bit of lead time," said Councillor Peter Frinton at Monday night's council meeting. "There's no real intention to change the basic service."
David McIntosh of Bowen Waste, which is contracted by the municipality to pick up household waste, is facing pressures on his budget. He is doing a lot more than he used to and it's not all included in the contract, Frinton said. For instance, Bowen Waste is picking up mattresses, which now cost $20 to dispose of.
"There's talk of green waste burning but there's no talk of amending our burning bylaw," Frinton added. "That needs to be part of our waste management plan. The past system did not meet our bylaw and was not approved this year by Metro Vancouver but it's an ongoing need."
Mayor Bob Turner noted that waste management is one of the fastest rising costs for the municipality. There may have to be reductions in other areas to compensate for this.
The provincial minister responsible for waste management, Ida Chong, has said no extensions to the deadlines will be allowed.
