Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:
Residents taking their garbage and recycling to the Quesnel Municipal Landfill will see a lot of action there as construction on the new entrance and scale system begins this week.
Construction crews will build a scale house, install scales, and improve lighting, fencing and traffic control. The project is expected to be complete by November 15 and has a budget of $650,000, which is being paid for through Gas Tax funding.
The City is implementing scales and a more secure landfill for a number of reasons:
• It is an environmentally responsible action to take. While North Cariboo residents already recycle a great deal of material, it is expected that amount will increase, as recycling and yard waste disposal will remain free of charge.
• It will extend the life of the landfill, saving taxpayers money over the long term. Today, the expected closure date is 2030. Extending that date reduces how much the City has to put aside for final closure each year, while also providing more time to plan and save for a new landfill.
• The ourQuesnel process has shown there is a desire in the community for the City to take on projects that consider a wide range of sustainability pillars, such as finances and the environment.
• It will provide greater control over what is disposed of in the landfill. Hazardous goods, chemicals and electronics will be diverted to the appropriate sites for safe and efficient disposal.
A number of decisions have yet to be made regarding the new landfill entrance, such as hours of operation, a fee structure for commercial and residential users, and when that fee structure will take effect. The City will inform residents of those discussions as they take place.
The City is forging ahead this year for a number of reasons. It allows the City to take advantage of the 2012 construction year. In addition, the community will be able to learn about the new landfill procedures and become accustomed to them during the slower winter months.
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