TNRD may close transfer station
NOVEMBER 2006 — VOLUME 4 ISSUE 11
With millions of dollars spent annually on waste management, the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has launched a Draft Regional Solid Waste Management Plan to look into the most efficient and cost-effective way to manage garbage and recycling systems in the region, with an end goal of a 30 per cent reduction in waste.
At the current pace, the TNRD will spend $130 million in tax dollars over the next 20 years on waste management—costs that could be cut almost in half by improving waste collection and recycling systems.
While most people would agree that the overall reduction of solid waste is a good thing, what does this new plan mean for people in the community?
Over the past two years, three committees have been working on the draft plan that will outline the new waste strategy for the residents of the TNRD and the public input process is about to start.
Sun Peaks, like most rural communities in the TNRD, is serviced by a garbage transfer station. Residents dump their garbage at the station and it’s then trucked to the nearest local landfill. While many residents find this a convenient system, it’s neither cost-effective nor efficient as uncompacted garbage containers are less than half full when transported from the transfer station to landfills.
Under the new plan the TNRD is considering closing some of the 32 transfer stations in the region and replacing them with curbside garbage and recycling pick-up in some areas, and in other areas requiring residents to take their household waste directly to the landfill. According to TNRD Area “P” Director Grant Fraser this is most likely the direction the TNRD would take.
“We’re looking at closing a clear majority of transfer stations and it would appear that Sun Peaks would be one of those considered for closure as there is the Heffley Creek landfill which is on the way to Kamloops anyway. From the TNRD perspective you could just close one and drive a little further to the other,” reported Fraser.
While closing the transfer station might address budget issues, there are a number of challenges regarding waste management that are unique to a ski resort, such as snow removal, high turnover of visitors and an abundance of wildlife, including such scavengers as bears, coyotes, foxes and ravens in the area. Sean Large, owner of Sun Peaks Cleaning Services, feels that curbside pick-up or using the Heffley Creek landfill would not be practical options in Sun Peaks.
“We do daily pick-up from the nightly rental condos, and it would make sense to go the Whistler route with a bear-proof, enclosed central bin located in each condo complex,” suggests Large. “If we had to haul to the Heffley landfill only on the days it’s open we would be stockpiling garbage somewhere in the resort on closed days which would lead to numerous problems with snow removal and wildlife.”
Now that the draft plan is ready, residents of the TNRD have an opportunity to give their input regarding what’s best for their communities. The public consultation process begins Oct. 30 with a series of community meetings in which residents will be asked their opinions on the most workable solutions for their area.
A meeting is planned Tuesday Nov. 21 for all residents of the Heffley Creek and Sun Peaks area to discuss the options outlined in the draft plan. The meeting will be held at the Hearthstone Lodge from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. presentation by the TNRD. For more information and the full public consultation meeting schedule visit www.tnrd.bc.ca or call1-877-377-8673.
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