Environmentalist urges Kincardine to have a landfill-free day
By Liz Dadson

Feature

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Carol Blake wants Kincardine to consider having a landfill-free day rather than a free landfill day.

Speaking to council Wednesday night (April 1) during the public forum session, Blake asked council to imagine a well-managed landfill, sorted into cardboard, recycled material, metal, appliances, E-waste, propane, hazardous waste, compost, a brush chopper, and a wonderful reuse centre to shop at - a place where everybody cares how much waste they produce, with accountable incentives for their own disposal.

"In natural systems, waste does not exist," she said. "Is this possible in a world of manufactured products and global trade? I hope so. Zero waste is our ultimate goal."

She welcomed council to join the 2009 Clean Sweep on Saturday, April 18, at the Ward 1 landfill, and on Wednesday, April 22 (Earth Day), at the Ward 2 landfill, both events beginning at 8:30 a.m. "This experience with the children will awaken your environmental conscience on accountability and responsibility," she said.

Blake urged council to become a leader in being responsible for the waste we produce by recognizing that free dump day is wrong when the Ward 1 landfill is set to close next year.

"The future of our two remaining landfills means changing our habits so that each of us can help to maximize the municipality's overall waste management efforts," she said. "Working with the children has shown me that they get it and want to do more. Let's be their environmental role models in waste diversion."

She said marketing recyclables costs money but it is still cheaper than dumping that material in the landfill. "For example, although a municipality might be paying $25 to recycle a ton of newspaper, that same ton in the landfill would cost well over $100. This is a savings known as 'cost avoidance.' Then add in the environmental benefits, such as reduced pollution and conservation of resources, as well as saving landfill space for other, non-recyclable materials. Recycling and separating are the clear answer and that is already a free disposal."

She said each resident must help. "We must think about ways to pre-cycle, prevent or minimize the toxicity and/or quantity of waste generated."

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05/04/2009 06:52 PM

She recommends following the "Re's":

*Reduce - if there is less to begin with, there will obviously be less to dispose of;
*Reuse - purchase products that can be used over and over again;
*Recycle - use the recycling loop by purchasing products with post-consumer recycled content;
*Refuse - do not purchase products with packaging that is excessive or not recyclable; manufacturers will never get the message otherwise;
*React - talk to store managers and write letters to manufacturers and legislators.

"A free dump day is not free," said Blake. "There is an environmental impact for one day at three sites, carbon monoxide from idling motors for hours, mass confusion at each site, poor to no waste separation, untarped debris lost off overloaded vehicles in the countryside, wages for extra staff on Saturday, and with absolutely no regard to creating a sustainable society.

"I have brought many teams to the landfills to Clean Sweep since 2005 and have witnessed the misuse of this opportunity. This day is not owed to any of us. This is a privilege and our chance to show environmental stewardship.

"Let's work together and create innovative ideas for diverting our waste. We must think landfill-free and dump free dump day!"

Council appreciated Blake's comments and agreed to refer her presentation to the public works committee for further consideration and a recommendation back to council.

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