Neighbours to block compost plant

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Delta is standing firm against a proposed new composting plant in east Ladner that residents fear will stink up their already odour-plagued neighbourhood.

Dozens of residents appeared before Delta council Monday to oppose the plan by Westcoast Instant Lawns to add a second composting site at its existing operation at 4295 72 St.

Subsidiary Enviro-Smart Organics Ltd. would compost 100,000 tonnes of organic material per year –

Neighbours have complained since 2003 about the stench coming from the existing plant and Delta has pressed for restrictions to limit its operation.

The company upgraded the site by building a covered structure to house the composting operation after fresh complaints last year.

“Last summer people were gagging, they weren’t able to eat and had to stay indoors,” Coun. Jeannie Kanakos said.

Council voted to oppose the plan, but that doesn’t amount to a full veto –

The proposal would need a compost facility licence from Metro Vancouver.

If granted, it would give the operators the ability to compost a wide range of material, including food waste, manure, sewage sludge, brewery waste, fish waste, poultry carcasses and milk processing waste.

“What’s that going to smell like?” asked Kanakos. “That’s really bad stuff.”

Staff also warned higher volume and different source material may “increase the potential for obnoxious odours.”

Westcoast Instant Lawns president Daryl Goodwin said in a letter to council he has no intention to compost special wastes like animal carcasses and septic tank sludge.

Delta is also calling on the environment ministry, Agricultural Land Commission and Metro Vancouver air quality division to audit the existing composting plant to ensure it complies with regulations.

The 100,000 tonne capacity sought by Enviro-Smart far surpasses the 6,000 tonnes of yard waste collected from all Delta residents each year and is equivalent to five times the garbage picked up in all of Delta.

A compost facility of more than 20,000 tonnes needs a provincial environmental impact study, Delta staff noted, but the proponents have not yet indicated whether one will be conducted.

jnagel@surreyleader.com