Submitted by RDFFG
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George is asking residents in the region to do a little trash talking. It is launching a review of its Regional Solid Waste Management Plan, and wants to hear from the public.
The plan lays out how we will recycle, compost and dispose of our garbage for the next 10-20 years. As part of the monitoring and evaluation component, there is an obligation to review and update the plan every five years to ensure that it reflects current needs.
The current plan includes programs, policies and infrastructure to meet the objectives of:
• minimizing the amount of waste sent to landfill and maximize landfill life;
• increasing recycling opportunities, particularly for plastics and organics;
• incorporating Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) into the plan;
• addressing the final closure and monitoring of the small landfills; and
• addressing the management of construction and demolition waste.
Since the current plan was approved in 2009, there have been significant changes in the waste management landscape, including the addition of the Printed Paper and Packaging stewardship program in the provincial Recycling Regulation.
“It’s a good time to review our solid waste management system and assess options that will ensure this Regional District remains environmentally and economically sustainable,” says Rachael Ryder, Waste Diversion Program Leader with the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.
To assist with reviewing the Plan, the Regional District wants to hear from the community and get their feedback on systems and processes in place to handle garbage, recycling and composting and where there’s an interest to see improvements made. The public is invited to participate in an on-line survey about recycling and waste management in the region. The survey is available on-line at www.rdffg.bc.ca until July 3.
(www.rdffg.bc.ca/services/environment/solid-waste-management/RSWMP )
As part of the review, the Regional District is also meeting directly with key stakeholders to get more feedback. Response from surveys and stakeholders will be formulated into a draft report. The public will have another opportunity to review that draft before it is finalized. The review process is anticipated to occur over the next 3 to 6 months, with more opportunity for input from the community along the way.
“It is important we have a plan that reflects the needs of our region, so we want to ensure the public has plenty of opportunity to give us their thoughts and ideas on this important issue,” says Ryder, who adds the RDFFG plans to put the results of the survey and planning documents on their website regularly throughout the review process.
