FoodCycler Pilot Program
The Town of Carleton Place has partnered with Food Cycle Science to offer a FoodCycler™ at a reduced rate to interested residents through a waste diversion pilot program.
Diverting food and organic waste from landfill is one way communities like Carleton Place can significantly reduce household CO2e emissions that contribute to climate change. This pilot program measures whether onsite food waste processing is a viable way for the Town to meet its environmental goals, gives residents another tool to reduce their household’s carbon footprint, and extends the life of landfill facilities.
The FoodCycler™ is an electric appliance that processes food waste right on your countertop. Its CO2e emissions are comparable to central composting (minus transportation) and to backyard composting done correctly. Regular use should cost no more than $4 per month in electricity, and cuts CO2e emissions by more than 95% compared to sending food waste to landfill.
Resident Guide
Food Cycle Science created this guide as a resource for participants in the pilot program. It includes an FAQ section, a list of items you can process in your FoodCycler™, and a tracking table for logging your cycles over the pilot period.
Carleton Place FoodCycler Resident Guide (PDF)
In spring 2023, the Town offered 450 Carleton Place households the chance to join a 12-week pilot program, providing one FoodCycler™ unit per household at a reduced rate, in partnership with Food Cycle Science, the federal government, and the County of Lanark. Two model options were available — the Eco 3 and the Eco 5. The comparison below can help you decide which model would suit your household.
Eco 5 and Eco 3 Model Comparison
The table below compares the Eco 5 and Eco 3 models.
| Specification | Eco 5 | Eco 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to Resident | $255.56 + HST = $288.78 | $200.00 + HST = $226.00 |
| Bucket Capacity | 5 L | 3.5 L |
| Unit Volume | 28.9 L | |
| Dimensions | H 13.8″ × W 13.8″ × D 10.3″ | H 11″ × W 9″ × D 13″ |
| Progress Indicators | Progress-tracking LEDs | 4-phase LED |
| Processing Time | 6–8 hours | 4–9 hours |
| Power Consumption | Under 0.35 kWh per litre | Under 0.9 kWh per cycle |
| Filtration | 1 reusable filter | 1 reusable filter |
| Vent Location | Top | Top |
| Transmission Torque | 24 ft-lbs | 20 ft-lbs |
| Recommended Household Size | 3+ people | 1–3 people |
After the 12-week pilot period, participants are required to complete a mandatory survey, including a usage report.
Once your registration is received, the Program Administrator will contact you by email to arrange payment and pickup of your unit.
We will begin accepting applications for the Pilot Program in the Spring of 2023 by application form at the bottom of this page. Sign up for our e-newsletter CP Scoop or follow us on Facebook to be notified when the application period opens.