Opposing 'Pay as you throw'

Barrhaven West Newsletter - May 5, 2023

The city public works and solid waste management team gave a technical briefing this week on a proposed ‘Pay as you Throw - Bag and Tag’ curbside waste programme.  I am not supportive of this proposal in its current form.  Firstly, it does not address the main issue – our landfill will expire in the next 15-25 years and we need a permanent, sustainable long-term solution.  Staff need to identify realistic and appropriate options (incineration, waste to energy, Renewable Natural Gas, next generation landfill, etc) – all of which will come with costs, advantages and disadvantages.  Secondly, the proposed ‘bag and tag’ model will only extend the life of the Trail landfill by 24 months.  This is an inadequate return on investment for the increased annual cost of administration for this program of over $1.5 million dollars per year.  That money should instead be invested in the solid waste reserve fund in order to pay for an amortized long term solution.  In the meantime, increased public education and engagement, better access to green bins in multiplexes and enforcement of a biweekly ‘four bags no tags’ curbside pickup policy would allow for continued support to all families of all sizes, continued growth in our diversion strategy, and improved environmental stewardship in a non-punitive manner.  I look forward to debating this topic at council and will be fighting hard for an appropriate and common sense outcome that meets our long-term landfill and environmental requirements without penalizing large families and our lower income residents.  I have spoken to many of you on this topic and want to continue to be engaged – please send me an email and I would be happy to chat further on this topic.