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FoodCycler Pilot Program being launched
Mayor’s Monthly Editorial, January 2026
By Mayor David Wilks
Council is excited to share that beginning early February, the District of Sparwood will be launching the FoodCycler Pilot Program, giving 100 households the opportunity to take part in a practical, innovative approach to food waste reduction.
This pilot reflects Sparwood’s growing commitment to environmental stewardship, waste diversion, and finding solutions that work for our community year-round.
Each year food waste makes up a significant portion of what we send to landfill, yet much of it can be diverted right at home.
A FoodCycler is a compact, countertop appliance that dries and grinds food scraps using a controlled, aerobic process.
In just a few hours, leftovers, peels, bones, and other food waste are transformed into a dry, odourless, material. The by-product created by the FoodCycler—often referred to as ‘Foodilizer’—is not compost on its own, but it can be added to backyard composters, mixed into soil as a soil amendment, or shared with others who garden.
Even residents without gardens can participate, knowing they are significantly reducing the amount of organic waste sent to landfill. In other municipal trials, the results can be significant with up to a 90% per cent reduction in the volume of food waste going into the landfill.
Unlike traditional composting, FoodCyclers are easy to use year-round and require no backyard space, turning, or maintenance. This makes them especially well-suited for our community where winter conditions, wildlife concerns, and limited space can make composting difficult.
Sparwood’s pilot program will provide up to 100 residents with the chance to obtain a FoodCycler at no cost while assisting the district in evaluating the success of this program over the course of 12 weeks.
Participants will be asked to use their FoodCycler regularly over the pilot period and provide feedback on their experience and metrics on waste reduction in their household. The information gathered will help determine whether a broader rollout could benefit the community in the future.
More information about how to participate, including application details, will be shared here. If selected, participants will be among the first in Sparwood to help test this innovative approach to food waste, turning everyday scraps into an opportunity for positive environmental impact.
Lead image: A FoodCycler. FoodCycler.com image
