The mayor of Sundre said council’s decision to close the recycling centre as of Dec. 31 stems largely from the facility’s ongoing misuse and abuse.
“Administration and staff have been receiving complaints about what a mess the recycling centre has been,” said Mayor Terry Leslie last week, adding that while many people use the site responsibly, there are also those who misuse the facility by disposing of non-recyclable waste, ranging from old mattresses and couches to electronics such as televisions.
“The recycling product that comes out is no longer recycling product but landfill material.”
Who the people misusing the centre are remains uncertain, he said.
“We have no idea who those folks might be,” he said.
“We just know the system isn’t working properly.”
Hiring on-site staff to monitor and assist the public would increase the cost of operating the centre dramatically, he said, adding the municipality is investigating alternative options with Mountain View County colleagues.
The transfer station immediately east of Sundre south of Highway 27 on Rge. Rd. 51 is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and offers a helpful service with staff on hand to answer questions and keep an eye on the site, he said.
“It’s a very efficient and effective system that ends up with recycling product going to recycling and waste going to landfill, the way it should be.”
But since that facility’s hours of operation can be restrictive for some residents, the mayor said the municipality has sent a letter to the Mountain View Regional Waste Management Commission inquiring about the possibility of opening the transfer station for an additional day or two every week and what kind of cost would be associated with such a course of action. That way, the town and county could further discuss how to share that cost, he said.
People who abuse the Sundre Recycling Centre typically have waste to dispose of, he said, and the transfer station accommodates both the handling of recyclable products as well as refuse material.
Additionally, from the municipality’s perspective, the Town of Sundre already has a popular curbside recycling program that residents largely participate in, he said.
The decision to close the centre by the end of the year is a measured response, the mayor said, adding council was not inclined to simply cease and desist overnight.
“We recognize that just cutting off the service is not the best solution.”
However, continued abuse of the centre is anticipated until it is closed, he said, adding the town, county and commission need time to explore cost-effective alternatives.
“We’re trying to work with the waste commission to find a solution to give more options to folks,” he said.
The ultimate goal is to provide a level of service to all of the residents in the area, as well as people who come to visit the community, that will offer them an opportunity to get rid of both recyclable products and waste materials in an area that is monitored by staff who can also answer questions and help with the sorting process, he said.
“We’re still trying to find out a solution.”
Although council was previously informed in September that the waste commission would no longer haul materials out and that the responsibility would fall on the municipality’s shoulders, Linda Nelson, Sundre’s chief administrative officer, said that decision was since rescinded.
Regardless, council's decision to close the recycling centre did not have so much to do with the cost but rather the ongoing and problematic improper use of the facility, she said.
“The model that we’re using is flawed. We need to come up with a better plan,” she said during an interview last week.
“It just is not working.”
Although there are many people who are dedicated and diligent in sorting recycling materials, it does not take much to sully an entire load that ends up destined for the dump, she said.
“The problem is you may have one bin that is filled with 99 per cent of true recyclable product, and one product that is contaminated that contaminates the whole bin,” she said.
“Recycling is such a sustainable practice for the environment. Trying to keep the product out of the landfill is the main goal. But unfortunately, if it is not done correctly, it kind of defeats the purpose.”
The town and county councils remain committed to continuing discussions to develop a more suitable solution, she added.
The town and county discussed the option of closing Sundre’s recycling centre, but the decision in the end was up to the local council, said Nelson, adding administration had also recommended that course of action.
“Hauling is not the problem,” she said.
“The problem is the use of the facility. We’ve got to take some responsibility for what’s going in the bins.”
