The Peninsula Biosolids Coalition and Biosolids Free BC, with whom Creatively United for the Planet Society has been actively collaborating, congratulates the CRD Board for making a historic decision to thermally convert biosolids into biochar employing the latest non-incineration, fossil-fuel free technology available today.
The CRD produces 10 tonnes of toxic sludge daily, also known as “biosolids,” which have been applied to land at Cedar, south of Nanaimo. Biosolids Free BC commissioned two legal studies which indicated that the CRD was at risk for depositing toxic material on land and that regulatory standards for managing biosolids need to be updated. We recognize the magnitude of this decision to imply thermal conversion given there is no existing technology operating in Canada at present, the uncertain costs and the untested regulatory approval process under the Provincial Government for constructing and operating a demonstration plant.
The ground-breaking decision to invest in a demonstration plant will commit the Region to implementing a circular economy approach to waste management led by CRD’s newly formed Innovative Projects Unit. It will permanently remove ‘forever chemicals’ from the environment thus limiting the potential for future legal liability. Hopefully, it will pave the way for other Regional Districts to apply this new technology. It will also store carbon in the biochar.
On the longer term, the Peninsula Biosolids Coalition urges the CRD to take a further step in fully implementing an Integrated Resources Management (IRM) approach so that a wider range of waste streams can be thermally converted, increase revenue sources and relieve pressure to expand the Hartland Landfill, thus preventing the need to destroy 72 acres of second growth forest adjacent to Mount Work Regional Park.
Thank you to everyone who has shown their support by answering our many calls to action for public engagement on this matter over the years and to the CRD for finally listening. To learn more, please visit the Biosolids section and video found on CreativelyUnited.org
Hello
I live on Willis point rd. My property constantly smells of sewage, especially on socked in days. This was never here prior to the biosolids activity. I find this very concerning and was of the understanding no odors would be detected from this operation.