A FoodCycler is a compact, indoor compost alternative that accelerates the natural decomposition process through aerobic digestion. These countertop-friendly machines transform your kitchen waste into nutrient-rich material that can benefit your garden and reduce household waste. With FoodCyclers you can effortlessly minimize your environmental footprint while contributing to a greener community.
FoodCycler Pilot Program
Lacombe County's 2026 Resident Environmental Sustainability Program builds on the successes of past years, where we introduced rain barrels in 2022 and trees in 2023 and 2024. Like 2025, the 2026 Resident Environmental Sustainability Program (RESP) an innovative indoor composting solution, is being offered: FoodCyclers
This annual initiative is designed to support property owners in their environmental goals through subsidized projects. Lacombe County Council voted in favour of subsidizing $100 per FoodCycler™ unit.
How the Program Worked
Lacombe County Municipal Resident Guide FoodCycler Pilot Program Registration
Thanks to subsidies from external partners ranging from $300-$400 and an additional $100 subsidy through Lacombe County, Lacombe County residents purchased a FoodCycler at a significantly reduced cost, making this an affordable and impactful way to adopt sustainable practices.
Participants in the FoodCycler Pilot Program were required to
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Track the number of composting cycles completed over a 12-week period.
- Complete a short survey at the end of the program to share their experiences.
- Up to 90% volume reduction
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Quiet, compact, odourless operation
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Easy to clean, easy to operate, no special training or skills required
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Quick (compared to composting, the FoodCycler™ processes food waste in hours, instead of months)
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Produces a valuable soil amendment, low in odour, and less attractive to wildlife.
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Reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) impact vs. landfill.
Pilot Participation Requirements
Each household that receives a FoodCycler will be asked to track how many “cycles” they run their FoodCycler through each week. For example, if you fill your FoodCycler up with organic waste and run the machine once per day for a week, you will mark down that you ran your unit 7 times. This tracking allows FoodCycle Science and the Municipality to estimate the total waste diversion achieved over the 12-week pilot program. At the end of the 12 weeks, participants are asked to fill out an exit survey, providing their review of the program and any other feedback they may have. The survey results are used to evaluate the program's success.
Food Cycle Science is looking to receive high-quality data from the pilot program participants regarding food waste diversion, as well as receive high-quality feedback from residents, staff, and council regarding the feasibility of a FoodCycler™ food waste diversion program for Lacmobe County and similar communities (data to be submitted to Impact Canada). It would also demonstrate the viability of the technology and solutions in a municipal setting so the model can be redeployed in other similar communities in Canada.
For more details on the science behind FoodCyclers and the resulting by-product, visit the FoodCycler blog: The Science Behind FoodCycler
Contact Us
Mailing Address:
Lacombe County Office
RR 3
Lacombe AB T4L 2N3
Physical Location:
40403 Range Road 27-4
Contact Us
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Email: info@lacombecounty.com
Phone: 403-782-6601
Fax: 403-782-3820
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