Guelph (population of 100, 000) has developed a two-container system
that puts an emphasis on getting clean organics. They use a green see
through bag for organics (wet) and a blue see through bag for residuals
and recyclables (dry). This is called the wet/dry system. The wet waste,
instead of being thrown out to a landfill, is composted. The dry waste is
sorted.
Recyclables are taken out and instead of being put in a landfill are
recycled. About 98% of Guelph's population participates in this system.
This system has helped reduce landfill waste by 58%
Guelph has shown that they want to make a difference in Canada. This
system works great. What does Nova Scotia do? Well, keep
reading! top
Nova Scotia has become a world leader at diverting waste from
landfills. Their system of waste management includes diverting organics
from the landfill by having a pick up for compostable materials, and
banning dry recyclables from their landfills.
Nova Scotia is also using a great beverage container system. All
beverages except for milk are sold at their normal price plus 10 cents
extra. If the consumer returns the container, he/she will get 5 cents
back. These figures change to a 20 cent deposit and 10 cent return if the
container is over 500 ml
The money that is not returned from the deposit goes to cost of
recycling. This is a great idea. If someone decides to throw away their
beverage containers, they're throwing away their money. This system has
helped Nova Scotia to have an 80% return/recycling rate on beverage
containers - far higher than what Ontario has. Nova Scotia recently
recycled their one-billionth bottle. Great news!
What Nova Scotia has done is put product
stewardship into practice while also asking those consumers who are
buying products to take responsibility for their disposal.
A deposit is not charged on milk because milk companies pay the
government a set amount every year to help cover the cost of their
recycling.
As a result of all their initiatives, Nova Scotia has reduced their
waste going to the landfill by 50%.
Nova Scotia has accomplished so much. They have found ways to solve
their problems with waste and have come up with creative ways to reduce
it. We are encouraging Toronto first and then the whole province of
Ontario to try similar initiatives. top
Toronto's latest plan for waste reduction is Task Force 2010.
It proposes to create a three stream waste system.
Stream one will combine blue and grey box materials. Materials will be
separated at a plant. This stream will be collected once every second
week.
Stream two will be the collection of organics. This will be collected
every week.
Stream three is the left over garbage. This will be collected every
second week.
Task force 2010 aims to divert 60% of our waste by 2006, and 100% by
2010.
The cost of waste disposal in 2006 if we maintain the status quo (blue
box, grey box and garbage bags) will be $158 per household. The cost of
waste disposal in 2006 under the proposed new system will be $160 per
household.
The greatest cost for waste management if we maintain the status quo
will be the cost of finding space to put our garbage. The greatest cost if
we switch to the three-stream system will be to create new equipment for
composting factories. An extra $2 does not seem like a lot to spend to
save the environment. (All prices quoted from Task Force 2010 report).
Task force 2010 sounds like an excellent program. It must be kept in
mind that this is a proposed system. Citizen pressure will be needed to
tell the government this is something we want.
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