FoodCycler Pilot Program

The Town of Gravenhurst has partnered with FoodCycle science to offer an in-home food waste diversion solution. This is a pilot project where residents purchase the FoodCycler® at a subsidized cost. Divert your food waste for a period of 12 weeks and track the amount. Fill out a closing survey and that's it! And you get to keep the FoodCycler® unit!

The Pilot Program is now full with 100 registered!

Recipients will receive an email with pick-up instructions or you can review the details below.

I'm an approved participant. How do I pick up my unit?

PICK-UP DATES

Monday, May 26 to Friday, May 30 between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm

If you are not able to pick up your unit during this time, please email info@gravenhurst.ca. We are not able to store the units so they must be picked up ASAP. Units will not be distributed before May 26.

LOCATION

Town of Gravenhurst
3-5 Pineridge Gate
Gravenhurst ON P1P1Z3

PAYMENT

If you have pre-paid, please bring proof of payment.
Still need to pay? You may submit payment at the Finance Counter when you pick up your unit. We accept cash, cheque or debit.
The online forms are still available for payment prior to picking up your unit:

Eco3: https://webforms.gravenhurst.ca/Finance/FoodCycler-Payment-Eco-3

Eco5: https://webforms.gravenhurst.ca/Finance/FoodCycler-Payment-Eco-5

WARRANTY

Before receiving the unit you will be asked to sign a form which acts as proof of payment, pick-up and warranty. (Town staff will make a copy and you will be provided with the original for your records)

IMPORTANT

The Eco 3 unit weighs 28.4 lbs (packaged); out of the box it is 22.5 lbs
The Eco 5 unit weighs 38.4 lbs (packaged); out of the box it is 30 lbs

Please ensure you are able to transport the unit to your vehicle or plan ahead and bring a friend!

What is FoodCycler®?

The FoodCycler® is a closed-loop indoor compost alternative that speeds up the natural decomposition process through aerobic digestion of waste. The unit dries and grinds food waste into a dry, odorless nutrient-rich by-product that is significantly reduced in weight and volume from its unprocessed state. The product is free from bacteria, weed seeds, and food-borne pathogens that were eliminated during the process.

Why should I participate?

Did you know that up to 50% of household waste is composed of food waste? By helping your municipality address food waste, you are supporting your community’s environmental initiatives, while reducing your carbon footprint.

What is required of me?

Not much! Purchase a FoodCycler® from your municipality at a subsidized cost, track your use once a week for a period of 12 weeks and then answer a brief exit survey.

Benefits of the FoodCycler

Up to 90% volume reduction
Quiet, compact, odourless operation
Easy to clean, easy to operate, no special training or skills required
Quick (compared to composting, the FoodCycler™ processes food waste in hours, instead of months)
Produces a valuable soil amendment, low in odour, and less attractive to wildlife.
Reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) impact vs. landfill.

Purchase at a Subsidized Price

FoodCycler provides the units to the Municipality at half of the retail price (see diagram) which is then subsidized by the Town of Gravenhurst ($100/unit). The cost to the resident is:

Eco 3: $200 + HST

Eco 5: $300 + HST

FoodCycler is...

ENERGY EFFICIENT
Only ~$2 in energy
costs every month!

ODOURLESS
Carbon filtration
controls odours!

EASY TO USE
Just press Start

Resources

Why are we partnering with FoodCycler to offer this pilot program?

Town of Gravenhurst Council approved a pilot project with the company at the September 27, 2024 meeting. To learn more about this Council initiative, please refer to the following resources:

FoodCycler Slide Deck
Presentation to Council
April 22 News Release