Composters dump on city

The City of Iqaluit has received dozens of letters protesting plans to kick Jim Little’s composting operation out of the dump.

Little’s Bill Mackenzie Humanitarian Society has operated a composting pilot program in the Iqaluit landfill since 2004.

The program has diverted over 30 per cent of garbage belonging to participating families from the dump, the society says. Since 2004, that amounts to over 200 cubic meters.

But city staff say they now need the space at the dump, which is expected to reach capacity in the next five to 10 years.

They’ve given the composters until July 1 to clear out.

Unless an alternative is found, that will spell the end of the composting program, the society’s board of directors warn in a press release.

They’re asking all supporters to write to the city’s mayor, or to Coun. Nancy Gillis, chair of the solid waste steering committee.