> Organics / Yard Waste

FoodCycler™ Organic Pilot Program (FOPP)

Residents: The EWSWA would like to thank all the residents who expressed interest in this pilot program! Due to an extremely high response rate, registration for the FoodCycler™ Pilot Program is now CLOSED. 

Did you know that up to 63% of the food Canadians throw away could have been eaten? Did you also know that 50% of regular household garbage is food waste? When handled properly, food waste can be a valuable natural resource, so it shouldn’t be thrown in the garbage.

You can join the EWSWA and “Food Cycle Science”, in tackling food waste by participating in the FoodCycler™ Organic Pilot Program (FOPP).

What is the FoodCycler™?

The FoodCycler™ is the latest innovation in food waste solutions. This countertop unit will dry out, grind up, and turn food scraps into a sterile, nutrient-rich soil amendment which is great for houseplants, gardens, landscaping, etc. The unit is approximately the size of bread maker/air fryer and takes 4-8 hours (dependent on the unit and food waste) to turn food scraps into a rich, soil amendment. All it needs is one cubic foot of space and a power outlet.

Watch some videos!: (note: FoodCycler™ has also partnered with Vitamix (Canada & US), so the FoodCycler™ units featured in these videos are ‘Vitamix’ branded)

How does the FOPP work?

A limited amount of FoodCyclers™ (250) are available for Windsor/Essex County residents to purchase at a subsidized rate. Participants will use their FoodCycler™ for the duration of the program (12 weeks), and track how often they use the unit – via a simple tracking sheet.

Cost to Participant

Participating residents will have a choice between two FoodCycler™ units:

  1. FC-30 (retails at $500.00) available for the subsidized price of $150.00 plus HST
  2. Maestro (retails at $800.00) available for the subsidized price of $300.00 plus HST

The purchased FoodCycler™ unit belongs to the participating resident.

What does the participant do with the FoodCycler?

  1. Read the instruction manual for use and assembly
  2. Find a suitable location for the FoodCycler™
  3. Start to collect food waste in the bucket
  4. Insert the bucket into the FoodCycler™, turn the unit on to process the food waste
  5. When the cycle is complete, remove the soil amendment (the processed food waste), and use it in houseplants, gardens, landscaping, etc.
  6. Track how many times the FoodCycler is used per week.

When the 12-week pilot program is over, the participating resident is required to submit the completed tracking sheet to the EWSWA for data collection. The EWSWA, Food Cycle Science, and Impact Canada are subsidizing the cost of the units in order to collect important food waste diversion data which will be kept confidential. Obtaining diversion data allows the EWSWA to track the quantity of food waste that was not landfilled (wasted!). Note: the only data that the EWSWA requires is the number of times the unit is used over a period of twelve (12) weeks.

If you register, how will you find out if you are one of the registered participants?

The EWSWA will notify you via email if you are one of the 250 households selected to participate. You will be given a date, time and location to pick up and pay for the FoodCycler™ so that you can start your 12-week pilot. There will be a few ‘date/time/locations’ options for you to choose from in the email that acknowledges your entry into the program.

At the time of pick up, EWSWA staff will be on hand to:

  • Introduce themselves and provide you with appropriate support information
  • Demonstrate how to use the FoodCycler™
  • Display the various parts of the unit and their operation
  • Explain what can and can’t be put into the FoodCycler™
  • Provide the tracking sheet and a user manual
  • Answer any questions
  • Provide you with your FoodCycler™ and process your payment

Program Questions / Concerns / Shout-Outs

During the pilot program, the EWSWA will have designated staff available to answer any FoodCycler™ questions via email.

You should feel free to contact the EWSWA staff if you have any questions/concerns or if you’d like to send us some photos and/or give us a Social Media Shout-out if you love the FoodCycler!

  • Facebook: EWSWAorg
  • Twitter: @ewswa
  • Instagram: ewswarecycles

Why participate?

  • the opportunity to own this unit at a cost well below market value
  • support climate change goals by reducing waste going to landfill
  • the ability to fertilize houseplants, gardens, soil and landscaping by generating a nutrient-rich soil amendment at home
  • helping your community address food waste, while supporting environmental initiatives, and reducing your carbon footprint
  • reducing the ‘ick factor’ in household garbage, especially during the hot summer months

To Register (registration is now closed)

If you are interested in participating in the FoodCycler™ Organics Pilot Program, please click on the link below which will redirect you to a registration page. Note: There is a limited number of units available. Participants will be selected on a first come, first served basis and meeting program criteria. You will be contacted if you are selected to participate.

*If registrations outnumber the available FoodCycler™ units, you may be placed on a waiting list, in the event that someone drops out of the program.