We've become accustomed to recycling items at home but if you've ever left an empty pop bottle on top of a garbage can at a local arena or park due to no recycling bins, a solution could be on the way.
North Bay City Council will hold an upcoming vote on a motion that could lead to the study and implementation of a fledgling recycling program in targeted public spaces, including parks, downtown locations, community waterfront areas, and all City of North Bay facilities and arenas.
The council meets on Tuesday for its regular meeting and although the recycling motion was initially scheduled for a vote, it has been pushed to a future date.
Councillor Sara Inch tabled the motion and Coun. Jamie Lowery is the seconder. "As a municipal councillor, I am thrilled to see our city's renewed commitment to extending the life of our landfill," says Inch. Making recycling available in public spaces is a "small step in what will be the first of many initiatives to extend the life of the Merrick Landfill by providing a cost-effective method to conserve tax dollars."
It cites the most recent municipal waste audit and notes diversion program materials accounted for 60 per cent of the total waste generated in our municipality and 25 per cent of those diversion program materials are classified as items that should have been put out as part of the blue box program.
See related: Clear bags and one-bag limit next steps for waste diversion?
The motion proposes implementing public recycling collection as a comparatively cost-effective option to help extend the life of the current landfill.
Waste diversion has long been the primary strategy to extend the life of the municipally owned — and, as of 2022, operated — Merrick Landfill. The motion acknowledges the "establishment of a new landfill is an expensive undertaking for the municipality." City officials have warned in budget forecast discussions a new landfill would cost millions in up-front capital and would require tens of millions of dollars to construct over the years until its completion.
A majority vote and the resulting resolution from the council would direct municipal staff to "conduct a comprehensive investigation into the implementation of a public recycling program." This study would examine the financial and logistical factors necessary to launch the program and station recycling bins "in areas where public garbage collection is available, particularly in parks, downtown areas, community waterfronts, all City of North Bay facilities and arenas."
Inch adds a vote in favour is a "testament to our community's dedication to sustainability, and I'm truly appreciative of the collective effort to preserve our environment for future generations."
