Ottawa composter fights for dirty diapers

The company contracted to compost Ottawa's green bin waste is fighting for the right to accept soiled diapers at its plant in the city's south end.

Orgaworld Canada will appear before an Ontario environmental review tribunal next Thursday seeking the right to accept materials that the City of Ottawa isn't allowing in its green bins.

"They've asked to be able to take material in plastic bags, diapers and sanitary products," said Coun. Peter Hume, chair of the city's planning and environment committee.

The city is fighting Orgaworld's bid. "We will do everything we can to make sure that type of material does not come to this facility."

Orgaworld has a 20-year contract to process 80,000 tonnes a year of Ottawa's household organic waste at a $20-million plant it is building at Rideau and Hawthorne roads.

Orgaworld spokesman Dale Harley said the company believes its original contract with the city requires it to be able to accept some kinds of waste that Ottawa isn't allowing in its green bins.

Trucked-in waste feared

"Their position is they have a contractual obligation to be able to meet different scenarios," Harley said.

Hume fears the company will truck waste in from Toronto, where the composting program accepts diapers and pet feces in plastic bags.

When asked about the possibility, Harley confirmed the company wants to be able to process more waste than the amount it is contracted to take from Ottawa.

"This is a commercial operation. When you make a $20-million investment to be able to process waste in Ottawa, is it economically feasible to only have that quantity of waste? The answer to that is no."

However, he said it is speculation to suggest where the extra waste might come from.