City pressed to allow compostable coffee pods in green bin

Java lovers in Ottawa can't dump their compostable coffee pods in the green bin, butCoun. David Chernushenko wants torevisitthat policy.

City staff will study the possibility of includingcompostable plasticssuch as certaincoffee pods and utensils in itsrecycling contract with Orgaworld, currently being renegotiated, after the environment and climate protection committee approved Chernushenko'smotion Monday.

Somecompostable products wereleft out of the contract over concerns about their potential impact on Orgaworld's processes, as well as the possibility of added costs tothe city.

Chernushenko is asking staff to report back next year.

However there are already concerns that residents could become confused and start throwing non-compostablecoffee pods into their green bins.

"Those of us who have shown innovation and tried to do the right thing are being held hostage," said John Pigott, CEO of Club Coffee.

The company creates compostable pods made mainly out of coffee, cornstarch and paper.

Orgaworldtested the pods,the city's environment and climate protection committee was told Monday.

"The pod works," said Club Coffee spokesperson Chris McKillop. He told the city's environment committee the pods were found to be more compostable than other items than are already allowed in the green bin, like dryer lint.