FoodCycler
FoodCycler Pilot
Join Norfolk County in diverting food waste from landfills by trialling a FoodCycler.
Norfolk County is looking for:
- Norfolk County residents willing to purchase a FoodCycler for either $150 or $300.
- Participants to track their usage of the FoodCycler over a 12-week period.
- Participants to participate in an online survey at the conclusion of the pilot period about their experience with the FoodCycler.
What is FoodCycler
The FoodCycler is a countertop unit that turns food waste into a soil amendment by grinding up food waste. The soil amendment can then be mixed into the soil in houseplants, flower beds or gardens. The FoodCycler reduces the volume of organic waste by up to 90%.
How Does it Work
- Place your food waste into the FoodCycler. The FoodCycler can take almost any type of food waste, including fruit and vegetable scraps, meat, fish, dairy, bones, shells, pits, coffee grinds and filters.
- Place the FoodCycler bucket into your FoodCycler machine. It can be used anywhere with a plug that is above freezing. The Vortech grinding system uses technology to pulverize meat, bones, pits, shells and other food scraps into a nutrient-rich soil amendment.
- Press Start, and in 8 hours or less, your food waste will be transformed into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Once the cycler is complete, remove the FoodCycler bucket and start using your nutrient-rich soil amendment at home.
FoodCycler Models and Costs
There are two FoodCycler models available to choose from, depending on your needs.
FoodCycler Subsidy
The cost for the FoodCycler units has been reduced by a subsidy model by several participants. Norfolk County is contributing a $100 subsidy per model. In addition, FoodCycle Science is providing a discount as well as grant funding from AAFC/Impact Canada. These subsidies allow this technology to be more affordable to residents.
FoodCycler FC-30 (AKA Vitamix FC-50)
FoodCycler Eco 5
Compare units
Feature |
Foodcycler FC-30 |
Foodcycler Eco 5 |
|---|---|---|
Volume capacity |
2.5 L |
5.0L |
Unit volume |
30.5 L |
28.9L |
Processing time |
4-8 hours |
6-8 hours |
Power consumption per cycle |
0.8 kWh |
1.3 kWh |
Odour control |
2 refillable filters |
1 refillable filter |
Vent location |
Back |
Top |
Below is a breakdown of the subsidy for each unit.
Costs to the Resident
- FoodCycler Unit
- FoodCycler FC 30 (AKA Vitamix FC-50): FoodCycler FC-50 CA (vitamix.com) – subsidized cost $150 per unit.
- Eco 5: FoodCycler™ by Vitamix® Eco 5™ | FoodCycler – subsidized cost $300 per unit.
- Electricity Costs
- Approximately $2 per month, depending on the number of cycles run per month.
- Carbon Filters
- Carbon filters are used for odour control and require replacement every 3 to 4 months.
- Replacement filters are $30 plus shipping through FoodCycler Municipal Residents (food-cycler-ca.myshopify.com)
How Do I Get My FoodCycler
Participants can pick up their FoodCycler at the Water and Wastewater Operations Yard, 396 Cedar Street, Simcoe on the following dates:
- Saturday, March 16 from 1-3 p.m.
- Monday, March 18 from 5-7 p.m.
- Proof of purchase must be provided to pick up your FoodCycler.
More Information
For additional information about FoodCycler, please visit Food Recycler Composting Alternative | FoodCycler
Contact Information
For additional information, please reach out to Merissa Bokla Supervisor, Waste Management Merissa.bokla@norfolkcounty.ca
