The community of Fort Simpson is hard at work improving its waste management services.
Among its ongoing projects, Mayor Sean Whelly says the community is working on building an area to house composting, and is also to establish a partnership with other nearby communities to share the cost of a metal processing contractor.
However, as Whelly explains SA国际影视传媒淭hese things take money.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 never enough when youSA国际影视传媒檙e dealing with landfills,SA国际影视传媒� he says.
ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 why he says a new grant from the GNWT to support waste management and recycling initiatives is SA国际影视传媒渨armly received and badly needed.SA国际影视传媒�
On Feb. 8, the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) announced a $50,000 grant for projects that aim to SA国际影视传媒渞educe waste, reuse materials and products, recycle materials,SA国际影视传媒� that arenSA国际影视传媒檛 already recycled in the territory, or SA国际影视传媒渞ecover a useful benefit from waste.SA国际影视传媒�
Municipalities, schools, businesses and other organizations are eligible to apply, as well as individuals. Certain guidelines apply, including a prioritization of projects addressing SA国际影视传媒減riority materialsSA国际影视传媒� such as organics, paper, cardboard, and scrap metal.
Whelly says heSA国际影视传媒檚 happy that SA国际影视传媒淭he GNWT sees the value of investing in recycling, of investing in municipal landfills, making them greener and cleaner.SA国际影视传媒�
The City of Yellowknife has its own plan to improve its waste management system: Introduced in 2018, its goals included expanding curbside pickup for organic waste, introducing differential tipping fees for recyclable and compostable materials at the Solid Waste Facility, and creating a dedicated salvage area for the facility.
However, the plan does not include a system to sort and manage recycling: As the City explains on its website, SA国际影视传媒淭he 2018 Strategic Waste Management Report recommends focusing our efforts on organics diversion and supporting businesses, apartments and condos with waste reduction and diversion opportunities. Curbside recycling requires extensive sorting of the collected materials.SA国际影视传媒�
Yellowknife is a city that has long struggled with waste management compared to other Canadian cities: According to a 2018 report on the plan, more than 1,100 kg per capita of waste SA国际影视传媒� about 23,300 tonnes in total SA国际影视传媒� were sent to landfill in 2017. This is more than 400 kg higher than the national average of 701 kg per capita.
Interested parties have until April 4 to apply for the grant. More details are available on the Department of ENRSA国际影视传媒檚 website.
