More details on the Semiahmoo First Nation’s plan to build a regional-size organic waste recycling and processing facility on its reserve in South Surrey have been revealed.

This is a revenue-generating opportunity for the First Nation, jointly owned with Vancouver-based organic waste processing firm Andion Global.

It will have a capacity to process 70,000 tons of organic food waste and yard trimmings on an annual basis — effectively diverting such biodegradable waste from landfills or incinerators, and preventing methane emissions from being released into the atmosphere during the decomposition process.

It will eliminate about 55,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, equivalent to taking 11,800 cars off the road each year.

This planned facility is just under half the size of the City of Burnaby’s proposed facility with an annual processing capacity of 150,000 tons, including 50,000 tons for the needs of Burnaby residents, businesses, and municipal operations, and 100,000 tons for the needs of the wider Metro Vancouver region as a revenue-generating opportunity. However, Burnaby’s $182 million project has stalled due to public opposition over the siting at a Fraser River park, with Burnaby City Council directing City staff to go back to the drawing board this past March.

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