Iqaluit recyclers clarify their role

Following the article published Feb. 27, “Recycling chief wants Iqaluit to think clean thoughts,” I would like to clarify some issues.

While plastic bags are a problem, the article focused on that single issue, making it sound as if we thought we could single-handedly save the world by eliminating plastic bags. This of course is not the case.

The Iqaluit Recycling Society is a non-profit group composed of volunteer citizens who joined together to help move the city toward responsible waste management practices. The recycling society does not make the decisions regarding the management of waste in Iqaluit, nor does it run the existing recycling program.

The numbers that we have seen quoted about the costs of recycling as compared to the cost of landfill are misleading if not inaccurate. Last year the city paid approx. $6,287 and not $7,700 per ton to recycle material.

While $6,287 is still a large sum of money, with effective planning and management, the cost of recycling can be reduced to $1,900 per ton or less this year. The estimated cost to send waste to the landfill was $200 per ton. This figure could not have included the long-term costs of exhausting our landfill’s capacity or the considerable costs already incurred for new machinery, maintenance and staffing. Dealing with waste, in any form, is a costly business.

There are many people who want to recycle, but are concerned that the program is ineffective. The city recognizes that there have been cases of blue bags picked up by the garbage truck instead of the recycling truck.

Together, the city and the IRS are addressing this issue and are taking preventative measures to ensure that this ceases to be a problem. Just a few years ago we were burning our garbage and polluting our air in the process; the fact that the word recycling is in our vocabulary is an accomplishment in itself. That said, there is still much work to be done. The City of Iqaluit needs to find the most environmentally and economically responsible system for here; this takes time.

Currently, the following rinsed and dried materials can be put in blue bags for curbside pick-up: All plastics, tin cans, pop cans and glass, aluminum foil, tetra pack.

Mixed paper (cereal boxes, egg cartons, magazines etc.) can be placed in blue bags inside a separate bag of any kind. Aluminum cans (beer and pop) and alcoholic beverage containers can also be dropped off with the South East Nunavut Company (building 1324), open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, some for refund of 10 cents to 25 cents each.

If your office participates in the paper recycling pick-up program, office paper and newsprint is more effectively recycled through this separate collection.

Most waste can be either recycled or composted. In the coming weeks, the city and the IRS will be supporting a composting pilot in partnership with Earth Day Canada. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact me at iqaluitrecycles@yahoo.ca

Erin Brubacher
Coordinator
Iqaluit Recycling Society