Application
Form
For Office Use Only.
Group Information
Project No.
Name Gorilla Composting
Address: 3534 University Street
Phone ( 514 ) 889-1225
Group Type (select one)
Fax (
E-Mail gorilla.compost@gmail.com
)
Environmental
Website address (if available) gorilla.mcgill.ca
Charitable/Non-Profit Organization Registration # (if available)
Briefly describe your group’s mandate (approximately 200 words).
Gorilla Composting is an independent student group at McGill University that has been trying to integrate
composting into the everyday operations of the University. We believe that composting is an essential aspect of the
urban ecosystem. Proper composting helps reduce GHG emissions, makes community members aware of
environmental choices and diverts waste from landfill. Diversion of waste from landfill is a large part of our
mandate as landfills are filling fast and organic waste accelerates the leaching of toxic chemicals into our fragile
water networks.
The group also has been providing students and other community members with a compost collection service, so
that individuals can compost their food-waste and know it is being used as good fertilizer on nearby fields. On a
monthly basis we provide vermi-composting workshops, how to compost at home using worms. The group has
taken much initiative on its own in an effort to encourage McGill to cooperate and design a composting
infrastructure tailored to the intricacies of the downtown hillside location. Following a period of fighting against
the administration the group now focuses on working with the relevant administrators to design a system that will
be beneficial to the community and last through the years.
www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction
August 2008
Application
Form
Contacts must be knowledgeable on the contents of the application.
Project Contacts
Name David Gray-Donald
Name Benjamin Miltner
Title Gorilla Composting Coordinator
Title Gorilla Composting Operations Coordinator
Phone (work) 514 889-1225
Phone (work) 514 660- 6934
Phone (home)
Phone (home)
E-mail david.gray-donald@mail.mcgill.ca
E-mail benjamin.miltner@mcgill.ca
Project Summary
Project Title: On-site Compost Processor
Project Location: Montreal, QC
Start Date
April 1, 2009
End Date
March 31, 2011
Length
24 months
When determining the project start date, please take into account the information provided by the program (i.e. for Fall 2008
funding round, no project can start before April 1st, 2009) and the negotiation of a contribution agreement with Environment
Canada.
Please provide a summary description of your project in the following space (approximately 200 words).
For successful applicants, this summary may be published and made available to the public.
Our project includes collection and processing of food waste generated at the McGill University Downtown
Campus in an automated composter with a capacity of 91.25 metric tons per year piece located very nearby on
campus. The objective of our project is to demonstrate that local processing of food waste is feasible in an urban
setting, such as downtown Montreal. All collection and processing occurs within a 500 meter radius in this system,
thereby reducing GHG emissions from transportation.
In cooperation if McGill Food & Dining Services, food waste will be collected daily from kitchens, and later from
in the cafeterias, and taken in a small vehicle to the processor. The processor machinery to be installed is the AgriVentes Brome Module 8100, a high temperature composting machine that quickly produces a nutrient-rich soil
product. Gorilla Composting has designed two job positions to ensure that the proper mix of carbon and nitrogen to
get good quality product. These two employees and the many Gorilla Composting volunteers will work with the
contractor hired by McGill Food & Dining to both use the best possible collection equipment, and to optimize
collection routes and procedures. The processed compost will be used on the grounds of McGill’s downtown
grounds and gardens as much as possible, and be made available to community gardening projects and individuals
in the community.
EcoAction Community Funding Program History
Identify if your group is a new or returning applicant/recipient of EcoAction funding.
□ First time applying for funding
□ Previously applied but did not receive funding □ Past recipient of funding
If applicable, briefly describe how this project is different from similar project(s) previously funded by
EcoAction. (approximately 250 words).
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August 2008
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Application
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In 2008, EcoAction supported the R4 Concordia project of installing and operating a Agri-Ventes Brome
Composter at their Loyola Campus. That project includes collection more than 7 km from the processing location
while the Gorilla Composting project includes collection, processing and use of product all in a radius of less than
500 meters. While the machinery is very similar, our project is unique in that it can provide a model for very
localized medium-scale composting. The local nature of composting projects is essential given the composition of
food waste. Food waste can make a valuable soil amendment when composted but transporting it large distances
makes little environmental sense as it is largely composed of water. Moving large volumes of water through an
urban setting increases noxious emissions, carbon emissions and traffic. Food waste is composed primarily of
water, but also of valuable nutrients for use as soil amendment. This project will exhibit a model of a very local
system of recycling energy and materials.
The R4 Concordia composter is tucked away in a corner of a parking lot far away from their downtown campus.
The Gorilla Composting project, taking place in downtown Montreal, will be heavily monitored in terms of smell,
mess around the composter, and logistical matters such as snow removal in the winter months. As a result, Gorilla
Composting will write and publish an Operations Manual for the composting system created. This manual can be
used as a guide for future projects in urban areas affected by cold winters, such as Cote St. Luc where they are in
the preliminary stages of looking at using Agri-Ventes Brome equipment to initiate a composting system.
Demonstrating the feasibility of very local processing will help maximize environmental benefits for Cote St. Luc
and communities all over the country.
The R4 Concordia project attempted to take any and all food waste, including soups and post-consumer waste. The
project at McGill is designed to begin with only raw plant materials, then gradually and experimentally expand to
allow other useful inputs for the creation of a quality product. Results of such experiments will be made widely
available in the proposed Operations Manual.
Funding
Summary
Amount requested from EcoAction
$ 36015
Amount from other sources (cash and/or
in-kind)
+ $ 39250
Total project value
= $ 73015
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August 2008
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Application
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BUDGET Part 1 – Human Resources
Human
Resources
Service
Gorilla Composting
volunteers for
collection and
delivery of compost
Gorilla
Composting
Composter
Coordinator
Gorilla
Composting
Collection and
Volunteer
Coordinator
Food Services
Contractor
Costs
# of
People
Rate
12
Funding Sources
Other
Time
(each)
Total Cost
$8/hr
60 hrs
$5760
1
$15
500 hrs
$7500
$7500
1
$10
200 hrs
$2000
$2000
1
$35
400 hrs
$14000
$9000
$5000
$29260
$18500
$5000
Sub-Total Part 1-Human Resources
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EcoAction
Cash
August 2008
In-Kind
$5760
$5760
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Application
Form
BUDGET Part 2 – Materials, Supplies & Equipment
Material, Supplies
& Equipment
Item
Costs
# of
Units
Unit
Cost
Agri-Ventes Brome
1
$34,375
Module 8100
Module 8100 Collection
1
$1600
Bin
In-kitchen Collection
36
$30
Bins
Sub-Total Part 2-Materials, Supplies &
Equipment
www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction
Funding Sources
Total
Cost
EcoAction
$34,375
$8565
Other
Cash
$25810
$1600
$1600
$1080
$1080
$37055
August 2008
$8565
In-Kind
$28590
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Application
Form
BUDGET Part 3 – Other Expenditures
Other
Expenditures
Item
Delivery of Module 8100
and collection accessory
Unloading of Module
8100 and collection
accessory by McGill
Grounds and Vehicles
Preparation of Site for
equipment installation
Independent, project
specific, audit
Costs
# of
Units
Unit
Cost
Total
Cost
EcoAction
1
$500
$500
$500
1
$200
$200
$200
1
$5000
$5000
$5000
1
$1000
$1000
$1000
$6700
$6700
Sub-Total Part 3-Other Expenditures
Revenue
Funding Sources
Other
Cash
In-Kind
Identify if the project will generate revenue and include an approximate value in the cash total.
Note: Projects requesting $25 000 or more will need to budget for an independent, project specific,
financial audit. The cost of this audit is an eligible expense under EcoAction.
Total Costs and Funding
(Add Sub-Totals for Part 1 + Part 2 + Part 3)
Total
Costs for
the
Project
$73015
Total
Funding
from
EcoAction
$33765
Total Cashfrom other
funding
sources +
Total Value
of In-kind
Contributions
Revenue
$32050
$7200
Fiscal Year Breakdown
If your project takes place over more than one fiscal year, April 1st to March 31st, please provide your
best estimate of the funds required from the EcoAction Community Funding Program per year.
April 1st , 2009
to March 31st , 2010
$ 23515
April 1st , 2010
to March 31st , 2011
$ 10250
Total =
$ 33765
}
Amount
Requested
From
EcoAction
Other Funding Sources
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August 2008
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Application
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Please list all cash contributions and in-kind support from other funding sources, including ALL federal
government sources. In-kind support can include, for example, donations of equipment, materials,
office space, volunteer time and professional services.
Please note that you will need to provide confirmation letters from these funding sources. Any letters of
confirmation not available at the time you submit your application can be sent in later; however, no
funds can be released until all confirmation letters are received. The letters must indicate the cash
or fair market value of the contribution being made.
Source Contribution
Group Name
Description
Cash
Green Fee of the Student Society of
McGill University
Cash donation
$17050
Not yet
McGill Sustainability Fund
Cash donation
$10000
Not yet
Gorilla Composting
McGill Food & Dining Services
Volunteer services in kind
Providing collection
materials payment of
contractor to collect and
deliver compost
$7200
5000
Total $32050
www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction
August 2008
Value of InKind
Letter
Included
Not yet
Not yet
$7200
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Application
Form
Project Description
Environmental Priorities
Identify which of Environment Canada’s priority issues your project will primarily address (select one):
Clean Air
Climate Change
Clean Water
Nature
Need for the Project
Identify the purpose of the project; describe the environmental issue that your project will address and its
importance to the community (approximately 500 words).
The purpose of this product is to divert food waste from landfill by developing a system at the downtown campus
of McGill University and, over a two-year period, have this system fully integrated into the McGill Services.
Food waste is undoubtedly a large problem, environmentally speaking. As it stands now, most of it is collected in
large trucks and is driven many kilometers out to large landfills along with other garbage, where it can not be
separated. While methane gas is captured in many landfills, it is not complete and overall land-filling of food waste
leads to a significant overall emission of greenhouse gases as compared to composting.
Many composting systems involve large transportation distances. Food waste is composed primarily of water and
much less of useful nutrients. It would then logically make much more sense to reduce transportation distances as
much as possible for the best environmental benefit. Highly localized medium-scale composting systems provide
this benefit. Such systems would be highly useful in municipalities and communities of any size, as it will be for
the McGill Community. The expansion of such a system requires an understanding of how it must work in a
particular area. The Montreal downtown setting provides excellent circumstances for demonstrating and
understanding this system: there are extremely hot and extremely cold periods in the year, there is a high
population density, there is abundant traffic, there are many one-way streets, etc.
Composting in an urban setting needs to be understood by continuous monitoring of ismell, mess, and logistical
matters such as snow removal in the winter months. Communities such as Cote St. Luc, where they are in the
preliminary stages of looking at using similar Agri-Ventes Brome equipment to initiate a composting system, need
to know how to best operate a system before they initiate one. Demonstrating the feasibility of very local
processing will help maximize environmental benefits for Cote St. Luc and communities all over the country.
McGill is expected to meet the Québec Residual Materials Management Policy by greatly reducing the amount of
organic waste it sends to landfill. McGill Grounds and many community groups in the area are in need of soil
amendment and this project could provide it on a continuous basis so that soils need not be trucked great distances
for use in the city. Collection, processing, and use of food waste all in a very small radius is something of great
importance to this community, and many more, that needs to be developed. It is an integral part of urban
sustainability.
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Application
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Project Objectives
Identify project goals, what your project will accomplish, and expected outcomes, how the environment
and your community will benefit, (approximately 1000 words). Ensure project objectives are achievable and
measurable within the project’s timeframe.
Provide a Model For Highly Localized Medium-Scale Composting Systems
A central objective of the project is to provide a model for composting in an urban setting. It has already been
shown that institutions can compost large volumes of organic waste, but doing so in very small area in a downtown
setting has not been demonstrated (tiny transportation distances). With emissions from transportation leading to
lower air quality in urban centers and global warming, the reduction of transportation in a composting system is
essential for communities.
Taking this into account, it is imperative that communities have an understanding of how such a system can work
in order to construct one. The proposed system at McGill, with all collection, processing and most of it use within
a 500 m radius can provide a great model. If the project goes forward and we are able to demonstrate the feasibility
of such a system, all sorts of institutions (shopping malls, municipal governments) can emulate it and adapt it to
their circumstances in designing organic waste management strategies.
This objective will be realized in the writing of an Operations Manual for medium-scale composting in urban
centers. The manual will outline all issues encountered and the strategies that can be employed to fix them.
Divert Food Waste From Landfill
The project aims to process 250 kg / day of food waste in an Agri-Ventes Brome Module 8100. This equates to
92.5 metric tons of food waste diverted from landfill per annum. This will decrease the rapid filling of the
Lachenaie Landfill by McGill University. Keeping track of the amount of food waste entered into the Brome
Module 8100 will allow us to see how much waste was actually diverted from landfill. Calculating reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions due to food waste diversion is easily calculable with the WARM model developed by
the American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Reductions in noxious emissions can also be calculated
using EPA indexes and looking at reduction in transportation distances.
Provide Soil Amendment to McGill Grounds and other groups in the community
McGill Grounds currently orders large amounts of soil to be delivered from outside of the City of Montreal.
Providing approximately 40 metric tons per annum of soil amendment (the finished product of the processing of
the food waste) will greatly alleviate this need. Greenhouse gas emissions from reduced transportation costs can be
seen by looking back and comparing year-to-year orders of soil and soil transportation distance once the system is
in place.
Integrate a Functional Composting System into McGill University
Gorilla Composting has always had the objective of having McGill process its own food waste. We believe it is the
environmentally responsible thing to do and now they believe that too. The achievement of this goal would be seen
through the first half of 2011 when Gorilla Composting formally educates the McGill Services staff and has them
fully operate the system without continual supervision from Gorilla Composting members.
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Application
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Promote Composting Awareness and Activities
Demonstrating this system will promote awareness of composting to many community members. By having the
machine on the downtown campus, it will be visible to a large public audience. The visibility of the project will
arouse curiosity in many, hopefully inspiring similar efforts. The workers involved will certainly learn much about
composting. Awareness raising is a goal, and it is achievable, but measuring it is near impossible.
Human Resources and Project Team Experience
a) Describe the duties of the position(s) (Project Coordinator, Consultant, Technical Experts, and Volunteers)
identified in the Human Resources section of the budget (approximately 500 words).
b) Identify relevant qualifications and experiences of the group and project team (approximately 500 words).
a) Duties
Gorilla Composting (GC) Project Coordinator Positions
Project Coordinator:















Oversee the project from the planning stages through to its integration by McGill Services
Plan the collection routes and methods with McGill Food & Dining Services
Plan the site characteristics and its preparation in conjunction with the McGill Office of Sustainability
Oversee the installation of the machine by Agri-Ventes Brome and McGill Grounds and Vehicles
See to the proper educating of kitchen workers to ensure proper blend of food waste
Routinely audit the waste collected to determine composition
Ensure that there is an adequate carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N) in the machine for reactions to proceed
properly and form a high-quality product
o This may include periodic laboratory analysis tests (in the Department of Bio-Resource Engineering
at the MacDonald Campus)
Monitor inputs to keep salt levels low to produce a safe product
Maintain the temperature inside the machine to ensure optimal aerobic decomposition. This includes
identifying inputs that do not allow for optimal temperature to be maintained
Monitor odour and flies and coordinate strategies to reduce their presence
When either carbon or nitrogen are limiting, the Coordinator is to find a safe, usable, source of that element
and coordinate proper entry and use of it in the machinery
Be ready to deal with emergency situations, such as mechanical or electrical failure. Close contact with
Agri-Ventes Brome will be kept to avoid these situations and deal with them quickly and effectively when
they arise.
Contact McGill Grounds and other groups when the finished product is ready to be used
Write an Operational Manual through the course of the project to be made widely available as a guide for
local medium-scale composting systems in urban centers
Write a Standard Operating Procedure for use by McGill Services once the two-year period ends and they
incorporate the system into their normal operations
GC Collection and Volunteer Coordinator:
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August 2008
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Application
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




Maintain a clearly defined volunteer schedule
Ensure there is a dedicated team of volunteers available to assist the food services contractor in collection
and delivery
Contact the volunteers of each week to make sure they will be present
Train volunteers on the procedure of collection, delivery, and how the collection bin system works
Organize promotional events to maintain a strong base of volunteers in subsequent years as old volunteers
graduate and leave McGill
The two Coordinators together will organize the pick-up of finished product by McGill Grounds and other groups.
Contractor administered by McGill Food & Dining Services and Gorilla Composting Volunteers
Responsible for:


Daily pick-ups of bins containing food scraps to the composting machine.
o Pick-up performed by contractor driving a vehicle and one Gorilla Composting volunteer from a
rotation of volunteers.
o At time of pick-up, clean bins are deposited by the Gorilla Composting volunteer for use the next
day.
Deliver bins to processor machine and manually lift them to deposit the food waste inside the reaction
chamber (the bins we are going to purchase are of small enough volume that they can be lifted without
exceeding labour limitations of weight lifted. The Agri-Ventes Brome Module 8100 can be stopped at such
an angle that a loading ramp is unnecessary).
b) Qualifications and Experiences
Gorilla Composting






Has been working with the McGill administration since 2005 to develop a system such as the one proposed
here
A representative from the group attends monthly McGill Sub-Committee on the Environment meetings to
keep track of developments around the university and discuss ideas with important faculty and staff
Undertook a Pilot Project in the 2006-2007 academic year collecting over 30 metric tons of food waste
from kitchens around McGill and McGill students and hiring a contractor to transport it to the Quinn Farm
on Île-Perrot
Have good records from the Pilot Project for optimal equipment and collection strategies
Have a broad volunteer base of 70-80 students annually to help out in operations (volunteers were used
along with contracted workers in the Pilot Project of 2006-2007)
Is in continuous communication with the R4 Concordia Composter project to learn and develop a strategy
more applicable to the downtown McGill setting
Project Coordinator: David Gray-Donald (B.A&Sc, expected to graduate in 2009)


Gorilla Composting Coordinator since September 2007 (and volunteer since 2006)
Re-established a collection system for students and student groups to drop off food waste including its
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

transportation to the Quinn farm
Has been in close personal communication with the McGill Office of Sustainability, McGill Food & Dining
Services, the Student Society of McGill University, McGill Grounds and Vehicles, Agri-Ventes Brome, R4
Concordia and members of the McGill Architectural Review Committee in developing a mutual
understanding of how a local composting system would be designed and function
Student in the McGill School of Environment focusing on bio-resource engineering, pollution, and
economics. Also completing a minor in Biology
GC Collection and Volunteer Coordinator: To be determined




Gorilla Composting currently has many members actively involved in the planning of this system and are in
close contact with McGill Food and Dining Services
Gorilla Composting has high quality promotional materials designed by Fine Arts students, including
posters and brochures, that we routinely use for promotional events around campus to inform students
about what the group is doing
The group is present annually during McGill Frosh Week activities for exposure to new students
Many members have been involved in these promotional activities and the planning of the system and
finding a capable member to fill the position will not be a problem
Contractor administered by McGill Food & Dining Services and Gorilla Composting Volunteers
Bill Pageau, Director of McGill Food & Dining Services, has indicated that the contractor used for collection and
delivery of food around campus is able and willing to take on the role assigned by this project. The contractor has
been working with McGill Food & Dining Services for an extended period of time.
Project Work Plan
Identify activities and project timelines. You may consider organizing activities in quarters according to
the following break down: April to June, July to September, October to December and January to March.
April 2009
April 1 -Purchase of Agri-Ventes Brome Module 8100 and collection accessory
April 1 – Commence site preparation (2 weeks to complete)
April 1 – 15
Educate kitchen workers in food preparation areas of the McGill Downtown Campus regarding the
diversion of food preparation waste to composter.
Purchase waste collection bins and acquaint workers with them, including the sanitizing procedure for
the bins once emptied.
Train Gorilla Composting volunteers as to the requirements of the collection routine, the operation of the
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Application
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compost unit and the procedure for determining the proper blend on food wate added. Coordinate with
McGill Horticulturalist.
April 14
Delivery of Module 8100 and collection accessory once the site is prepared
Installation of the equipment on the prepared site location.
Starting April 15, 2009
Initial daily deliveries of compost to the processor supervised by Gorilla Composting Coordinators in
cooperation with McGill Food Services contractor
Starting May 1, 2009 and continuing to March 31, 2011
Routine collection of compost by McGill Food Services contractor aided by Gorilla Composting
volunteers. System monitored by Project Coordinator and Volunteers organized by Collection and
Volunteer Coordinator.
As product is formed it is used by McGill Grounds through cooperation with Eric Champagne, the
horticulturalist and picked up by appointment by other groups in the community.
January - March 2011
Writing of the general Operations Manual and the more specific Standard Operating Procedure
Distributing the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to the McGill Services involved by the Project
Coordinator.
-This involves personal meetings where the entire SOP is explained and all aspects of the system can
be discussed.
March 2011
McGill Services take over the operating of the system and are guided through it by the Project
Coordinator, and Collection and Volunteer Coordinator.
April 2011
McGill Services operate the system on their own. Gorilla Composting remains available if help is
required but will not oversee the day-to-day operations. The system will be fully integrated into the
McGill Services and Gorilla Composting will work to expand capacity by purchasing more processing
equipment.
Communications Plan
Identify the project’s communication activities and how the community will be informed about the project
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and its results (i.e. publications, website, events, posters, signage etc.). (approximately 250 words).
Radio, newspapers, our website, posters in cafeterias, and the McGill Office of Sustainability will all be used to
inform the community of the project and its results. CKUT, the campus radio station, has already interviewed our
members and aired segments about the group. The McGill Daily, McGill Tribune, and McGill Reporter have all
written articles on the group and. These media outlets are currently asking many questions about what is going on
and want to write stories about the proposed project. Our website attracts large numbers of Montreal community
members asking a variety of questions. From the website, we have had reporters from the CBC and the Globe and
Mail contact us asking for information for stories about composting projects. There is no shortage of interest on the
subject and we are more than willing to share information and contact more media outlets, such as newspapers in
the Montreal area, to provide them with a unique story like this. McGill Food & Dining Services is trying to make
its image more environmentally friendly and would like to publicize a composting project in its cafeterias. In the
2006-2007 Pilot Project, Gorilla Composting signs were put up in cafeterias with food waste collection. We plan to
use the same type of publicity in this area with this project.
Evaluation
A) Strategy: Explain how project results will be measured by identifying an evaluation plan. Provide the
methodology that will be used to capture results such as calculations and formulas.
The number of bins full of food waste delivered to the compost machine will be kept track of on a spreadsheet by
Gorilla Composting. The volume of the bins is known and so by multiplying that volume by the number of bins
delivered the volume of waste diverted from landfill can be seen for any given period of time. To convert this
volume into a mass, a conversion factor of 0.55 is generally applied by Gorilla Composting (one square meter of
compost would be converted to 0.55 metric tons). In testing the composition of food waste generated we will also be
looking at the volume to mass ratio and can change the conversion factor if a more appropriate one is found.
Calculating reduction in greenhouse gas emissions due to food waste diversion is easily calculable with the WARM
model developed by the American Environmental Protection Agency.
The collection bin from Agri-Ventes Brome will be filled up each time before the product is removed for use
elsewhere. By multiplying the volume of the bin, 1.5 m³ by the number of times it is emptied, the amount of soil
produced can be calculated.
Volunteers lists and schedules will be kept on record by Gorilla Composting to keep track of how many community
members have been actively engaged in the program.
A spreadsheet of where the soil product is going to, including volume, will be kept by Gorilla Composting to allow
us to evaluate how many groups the project has helped and in what locations in the community. Greenhouse gas
emissions from reduced transportation costs can be seen by looking back and comparing year-to-year orders of soil
and soil transportation distance once the system is in place.
The salaries of the two Gorilla Composting Coordinators will be kept on record at the McGill School of
Environment (which our bank account is run through) and also by Gorilla Composting itself. Food Services will
keep track of how much the contractor is being paid. By keeping track of these salaries, the value of employment
created by the project can be seen at any time.
Two reports per year by the Gorilla Composting Coordinators will outline the qualitative changes in the lifestyles of
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Application
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the kitchen workers and evaluate how the project is affecting McGill Food Services more broadly.
In terms of demonstrating the feasibility of highly localized medium-scale composting systems in an urban setting,
the Operational Manual to be written by the Project Coordinator will serve as the evaluation of the results of the
project. The manual will be a guide based on the results of experiences throughout the project such as;
contamination, odour, snow-removal and access issues, collection bin specifications, traffic and time of day, dealing
with multiple one-way streets, the efficiency of volunteers, unforeseen costs, machine maintenance, site preparation,
use of finished product in a variety of locations (McGill gardens, lawns, private homes, apartments, community
gardens, etc.)
B) Indicators Checklist: Select the appropriate performance indicators below to establish targets that
will identify measurable results and to determine how project objectives will be measured. Determine an
approximate value for each indicator selected.
The list below includes the most common examples of indicators but is by no means complete. While preparing your proposal,
you may identify other relevant environmental, capacity building and socio-economic indicators. You may include these in your
proposal. Select relevant indicators from any of the categories below, regardless of the primary environmental objective of your
project.
Indicators
Measurable Results
Capacity Building Indicators
Socio-Economic
Media interviews/reports on project
10# of media interviews/reports
Jobs created
Volunteers participating directly in project
3 jobs
12 and likely more volunteers
Partnership(s)
5 partnerships
Size and type(s) of target audience
individuals (total)
(individuals directly affected by the project)
35000 and all urban dwellers on the planet
Populations targeted (check those that apply)
Youth (secondary-university)
Francophone
Community Groups
General public
Businesses
Environmental Indicators
Climate Change & Clean Air
Reduced emissions of greenhouse gases
40Tonnes per year (CO2 equivalent)
(e.g. carbon dioxide, methane etc.)
Reduced emissions of other air pollutants
Tonnes per year
(e.g. sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide, etc.)
Organics composted/diverted from landfill
91250 per yearKilograms
m3
Clean Water
General waste diverted from landfill
www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction
100Tonnes per year
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Application
Form
Additional Information
Environmental Sustainability
Explain how benefits to the environment and your community will be maintained after the project is
completed and beyond receiving support from the EcoAction Community Funding Program. (approximately
500 words).
After the two-year period of financial support from the EcoAction Community Funding Program, Gorilla
Composting will continue working in very close cooperation with McGill Food & Dining Services and
Grounds and Vehicles to incorporate the system into their everyday operations. The McGill Office of
Sustainability has put its support behind this endeavor. This will ensure that the system continues to
divert food waste from landfill and provide soil amendment for the local community. All the duties of the
Project Coordinator will be passed on to McGill Services along with the Standard Operating Procedure
which contains all that is learned in the two years of the project. Gorilla Composting will continue to attract
and direct volunteers to help the system as necessary.
It is the Operation Manual that will serve to maintain benefits after the funding period expires. These
benefits will reach beyond the McGill community as it will consist of recommendations and explanations
of how to compost very locally in a very urban setting. The experiential learning to be had in this project
will provide a highly useful source of information to municipalities around Canada and around the globe.
Environmental Responsibility
Briefly explain how the environment will not be harmed by the project.
To ensure that the environment is not harmed by project activities additional information may be required
for review by technical experts who will assess activities are technically sound. In addition, prior to the
start of your project Environment Canada may be required to conduct an environmental screening under
the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Please refer to the Applicant’s Guide for examples of
additional information that may be required and contact your Regional office for further information.
Provide information as required in the space provided below and/or use this space to list what additional
information will be attached with the application form.
Because the bins can be washed in a dishwasher already in use by McGill Food & Dining Services, there
will be no risk of contaminating the rainwater collection system with food waste products.
The site will be designed on a slight slant to ensure that any mess can be cleaned out, which is currently
a problem with the R4 Concordia project.
When running, the machinery produces only water vapour and a small amount of carbon dioxide into the
air. The amount of carbon dioxide emitted is taken into consideration in calculating the overall GHG
emission reduction.
www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction
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Application
Form
Other Relevant Information
If required, this space is provided for inclusion of any other relevant project information that was not
captured in other sections.
The project has been approved by McGill Food & Dining Services, the McGill Office of Sustainability, and
McGill University Services. Site location has been narrowed down to three locations and they are
currently under review by the McGill Architectural Review Committee for final selection and approval.
www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction
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Application
Form
Application Checklist
Send completed applications to the EcoAction Community Funding Program office for your province or
territory by the November 1st deadline. Applications delivered directly to an EcoAction office or mailed
by the deadline, as shown by postmark, will be accepted. Fax and electronic copies are acceptable.
Except for letters confirming cash and/or in-kind support from other funding sources, which may be sent
at a later date, all information needed for the evaluation of your project must accompany the application.
No additional information received after the deadline will be taken into consideration.
A complete and signed application form, including all budget and funding source information on 8 ½”
x 11” paper that is unbound and numbered. Fax and electronic copies are also acceptable.
Letters of confirmation from other funding sources-cash and in-kind (if available – letters can follow at
a later date, but it is highly recommended that letters available at the time of submission should be
forwarded with the application).
Copies of any required permits from federal, provincial/territorial or municipal governments or other
regulating organizations.
Other supporting information (if applicable) such as site maps, species lists, and general letters of
support.
Please refer to the ‘How Do You Apply’ section of the Applicant’s Guide for more information about
these elements. For any questions, please contact your regional office.
Certification
We certify that the information provided in this application, including all enclosures, is accurate to the
best of our knowledge and that we are authorized to sign on behalf of the group (two signatures are
required).
Name: David Gray-Donald
Name: Benjamin Miltner
Title: Gorilla Composting Coordinator
Title: Gorilla Composting Operations Coordinator
Signature:
Signature:
Date:
Date:
Reminder: Please call us to confirm receipt of your application package if you do not receive an acknowledgement letter
within one month of the application deadline..
www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction
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Application
Form
Call Us!
Call the EcoAction Community Funding Program office for your province or territory to discuss your
project idea and for assistance in preparing your funding proposal!
Environment Canada’s EcoAction Offices
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick
and Prince Edward Island
45 Alderney Drive
16th Floor, Queen Square
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 2N6
Phone: (902) 426-8521
or 1-800-663-5755 (toll-free)
Fax: (902) 426-2062
E-mail: ecoaction.atl@ec.gc.ca
Newfoundland and Labrador
6 Bruce Street
Mount Pearl, Newfoundland A1N 4T3
Phone: (709) 772-4269
or 1-800-663-5755 (toll-free)
Fax: (709) 772-5097
E-mail: ecoaction.atl@ec.gc.ca
Quebec
1141 Route de l’Église
P.O. Box 10100
Quebec, Quebec G1V 4H5
Phone: (418) 648-3537
or 1-800-463-4311 (toll-free)
Fax: (418) 649-6674
E-mail: quebec.ecoaction@ec.gc.ca
Manitoba and Saskatchewan
123 Main Street, Suite 150
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4W2
Phone: (204) 984-5952
or 1-800-567-1570 (toll-free)
Fax: (204) 983-0964
E-mail: ecoaction.pnr@ec.gc.ca
Alberta, Northwest Territories
and Nunavut
4999-98th Avenue
Twin Atria #2, Room 200
Edmonton, Alberta T6B 2X3
Phone: (780) 951-8710
or 1-800-567-1570 (toll-free)
Fax: (780) 495-4367
E-mail: ecoaction.pnr@ec.gc.ca
British Columbia and Yukon
#201–401 Burrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3S5
Phone: (604) 664-9093
or 1-800-667-7779 (toll-free)
Fax: (604) 713-9527
E-mail: ecoaction.pyr@ec.gc.ca
Ontario
4905 Dufferin Street
Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4
Phone: (416) 739-4734
or 1-800-661-7785 (toll-free)
Fax: (416) 739-4235
E-mail: ecoaction.on@ec.gc.ca
www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction
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