Organics Infrastructure Program

In December 2017, the Government of Canada announced it is providing 'Low Carbon Economy Funding' to the Province of B.C. in support of projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The B.C. Government has identified matching funds to support organic waste processing infrastructure to increase municipal organics diversion and management of agricultural waste. The Organics Infrastructure Program combines $10 million of federal funding from the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund, $10 million of provincial funding, and a $10 million contribution from recipients and/or their partners.

About the Program

The Organics Infrastructure Program will facilitate the investment of $30 million towards organics processing infrastructure in British Columbia, such as composting facilities or anaerobic digesters. The infrastructure will divert unprocessed municipal organic waste from landfills and/or agricultural waste from direct land application, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

This funding opportunity is open to local governments only (municipalities, regional districts and self-governing First Nations with modern treaties), however applicants may choose to team with a range of partners.

The B.C. government collected submissions from interested parties through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process. The submission period was open from September 7 to November 30, 2018. An Expression of Interest must have been submitted during this time in order to submit a formal application in the spring of 2019.

Tools

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions associated with this funding opportunity will be determined using the following tools:

• GHG Calculator (XLS) - for constant waste growth rate
• GHG Calculator Guide (PDF)
  • ​Calculator Appendices (PDF)
• Weighted Average Calculator (XLS) - If a varying waste growth rate would be more applicable to your project, please use this calculator for input into the GHG Calculator.

Next Steps

• Winter 2018-2019 EOI submissions are under review
• Spring 2019 formal intake of grant applications will begin
  • All applicants should obtain, or have, a business BCEID, for the formal application intake 
  • Below is an example of wording used as part of a council's resolution to participate in the program.
    Example text for local Government resolution (PDF)
• Summer 2019 - grants will be awarded