Issues > Waste Management

More people now support the shipping of garbage to Michigan than oppose it. But how do the people of Michigan feel? Make no mistake, sooner rather than later, we will be forced to deal with our own problems. An effective solution to managing waste that cannot be recycled or composted must be found.

Last year York residents produced 326,599 tonnes of garbage. Some 222,000 tonnes of that is now shipped to three sites; one near St. Thomas and two in Michigan. The contracts run on a renewable basis until 2023. One way or another we must get our diversion rate up to at least 75%. The rest, through some form of clean burning process, could be turned into useable energy.

Ontario is in the midst of a waste disposal crisis. In spite of that, there is community opposition to building new landfills. Ontario also lacks sufficient electrical generating power and faces the prospect of brown outs as well as the high cost of purchasing expensive imported electrical power. Put these two problems together and you might just find the solution. Next month, York and Durham regions plan public meetings on a recommendation to start looking at incinerators and other thermal technologies.

"We've got to start seeing garbage as a resource. We derive no benefit from digging a hole and putting it the ground. Why pay someone to just throw it away? There is so much good that can come from using it efficiently and cleanly."

Oddly enough the Province, vulnerable to Michigan's constant threats of closing the border and dangerously short on electricity, is a major stumbling block to exploring new technologies. The approval process is so convoluted and lengthy that, to date, only one residential waste incinerator is in operation (Peel). Efficient and environmentally friendly, it provides power to hundreds of homes and hardly anyone knows it's there. One need only look to Sweden where incineration is not a dirty word. There, more than 90% of household waste is recycled, reused or recovered. Waste that cannot be recycled is recovered through other means, often to local economic benefit. Some waste is biologically treated to create compost, bio gas and fertilizer. The remaining waste is used to create energy. A well developed district energy system turns waste into heat and electricity for hundreds of thousands of Swedish homes. Modern technology has allowed the waste to energy through incineration process to reduce emissions dramatically over the years. In 1991, 18 Swedish waste incinerator plants emitted a total of about 100 grams of dioxins every year. Today, 29 plants emit 0.7 of a gram. No smells, no noise and a pleasant work environment.

One such plant, Savenas, is located 200 metres from a residential area. It processes more tonnes of waste per year (460,000) than the region of York produces! The power generated is sold on the deregulated Swedish electricity market. The plant will pay for itself in 10 years.

"The time has come for us to start doing. If we just keep talking a decision will be forced upon us. We do not want that."

Next: Transit

Back to Local Council

Back to Home Page