Feature Article August 24, 2003
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Blue Box Program on it's Way to Loughborough, Portland?This may surprise the folks who drive bottles and papers to their local recycling depot every Saturday morning, but only 8.3% of Loughboroughs total waste materials are recycled, and only 2% of Portlands, according to South Frontenac Township staff. In areas where blue box pick-up is provided, this percentage is much higher.
Natalie Matthews, Environmental Officer at the Kingston Ministry of Environment office, Ontario says that Regulation 101 requires townships with populations over 5,000 to establish a blue box waste management system in accordance with the regulations, which state that if domestic waste is collected, then recyclables have to be collected in the same manner. Both Loughborough and Portland districts provide curbside garbage pick-up to their residents, but neither has a curbside recycling program.
Last week, Ms. Matthews sent a letter to the Township of South Frontenac, noting their non-compliance, asking their plans for meeting the requirements of the regulation, and requesting an implementation date. As this years budget is set, its likely the earliest date will be 2004.
Although a recycling pick-up will be expensive, it may eventually be possible to offset the cost through government grants and by extending the lives of waste sites.
