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Public input sought on solid waste plan |
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Written by SCOTT STANFIELD
Citizen staff
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Friday, 18 July 2008 |
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CIVIC CENTRE
The district has developed an initial draft of the plan that emphasizes increased recycling and composting, waste reduction and proper disposal of hazardous wastes such as paint, used motor oil and old medication.
"We take the responsibility of waste management seriously, and we are committed to ensuring that we are providing the service that is not only environmentally sound but is a reflection of what the people in this region want," Petra Wildauer, the district's general manager of environmental services, said Friday.
Along with seeking public input, the district has hired Gartner Lee Ltd. to conduct a review of its solid waste management services. Maura Walker, an environmental planner with the company, said the draft plan is a "road map" to make sure the district is heading in the right direction in terms of recycling.
Highlights of the draft include a curbside recycling service for Prince George households receiving curbside garbage collection, at a cost of $30 to $40 a year per household; seasonal curbside collection of yard waste in Mackenzie; and fewer transfer stations. Walker said the curbside collection program could start around 2010.
"We want to implement tipping fees on garbage disposal at all sites," Walker said. "The real emphasis here is on trying to drive down the amount of garbage that is sent to landfills. In Valemount, McBride and Mackenzie, we're looking at seeing the amount of garbage they put out on a weekly basis drop down to only two cans per week."
She said a big component of the plan is education. Walker also mentioned a possible recognition program such as green awards.
The existing solid waste plan, developed in 1997, calls for a 50 per cent reduction in the amount of disposed waste. As of last year, the district had achieved a recycling rate of 25-30 per cent. It has also reduced the number of landfill sites.
The majority of waste is currently disposed at the Foothills Boulevard Regional Landfill, while smaller portions are still taken to sites at Mackenzie, Sinclair Mills and Dome Creek. The long-term plan is to close all landfills except Foothills, although construction waste could still be disposed at Mackenzie.
The district's budget for solid waste management currently exceeds $10 million, which Walker foresees increasing to at least $11 million.
The public can provide feedback on the draft plan at a Tuesday information session from 1-4 p.m. at the Robson Valley Community Centre in McBride, or Thursday in Prince George from 5-8 p.m. at the Civic Centre. An outline of the draft plan will be presented Monday at city council. Copies of the draft plan and an online survey are available at www.rdffg.bc.ca. Hard copies are available at libraries, the district office and village offices. The survey is available until Aug. 3.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 18 July 2008 )
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