Welcome!
We want to hear from you! Learn more about garbage and recycling programs for residents
and businesses, and let us know your preferences on some proposed options for new
programs. The options in the short term offer enhanced and easier garbage and recycling
collection and in the longer term, will extend the life of our landfills and save
us tens of millions of dollars. It’s all part of updating the region’s Solid Waste
Management Plan as required by provincial legislation, as well as doing our part
to conserve resources for future generations.
Principles and Policies
The following principles and policies have been developed based on feedback from
the public, industry, staff, and local governments over the years. These would be
included in the plan to help shape decisions for the future.
- Aim for “zero waste” - like zero accidents
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- Adopt green purchasing policies for local governments.
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- Use pilot projects and/or stakeholder consultation before starting new programs
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- Lobby senior governments. for more product stewardship programs (like less packaging)
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- More user pay options (the more you use the more you pay)
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- License private waste facilities to ensure waste goes where it should
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- Continue education programs and increase evaluation
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Legend
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Rating
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Symbol
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Price Range Per Household Per Year
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Low
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$
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$0-$5
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Medium
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$$
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$5-$10
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Medium/High
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$$$
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$10-$20
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High
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$$$$
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$20+
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Phase 1: Options to Consider
Have your say here on these short-term options that can reduce the amount of
garbage going to local landfills, extending the life of our landfills.
Please rate the following options--what do you think about each one?
Options for Home
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Options for the Workplace
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Phase 2 and 3: Bigger Questions and Next Steps
While the short-term options in Phase 1 can help reduce garbage going to the landfill,
we need to look ahead to the future. The Glenmore Landfill has an expected lifespan
of about 40 years, and the Westside Landfill is due to close in the next 10 years.
In the meantime, we must start looking at other long-term options for handling our
garbage.
Some of these options are already being investigated. For example, there is a pilot
project currently underway at the Glenmore Landfill. Part of the landfill is being
run as a bioreactor landfill, which uses organics - such as food and yard waste
- to anaerobically (without oxygen) decompose the garbage. As a result, the garbage
compacts, saving space and thus helps extend the life of the landfill. As methane
gas and leachate (liquids) are produced, they are collected. The methane gas is
used to make energy and the leachate is recirculated back into the landfill to help
decomposition. The outcome of the pilot project may help direct future programs.
As a community, we need to look at options like the bioreactor/recirculating landfill
pilot project, as well as other options. For example, we could:
- Investigate siting a new landfill in the Central Okanagan Regional District or in
partnership with neighbouring regional districts.
- Investigate options for the separation and composting of all organics (yard and
kitchen waste) All organics would stay out of landfills and reduce space used by
10%.
- Investigate the option to make Glenmore a bioreactor landfill as described above
(organics would stay in, as they are needed for the process).
- Investigate new technologies, such as thermal treatment, incineration, gasification,
or pyrolysis.
Much more information must be gathered before options can be put forth for consideration.
We recommend these options be researched more fully within the next 5 -10 years.
Thank you for your time in completing this online questionnaire.
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