Iqaluit’s metal waste cleanup starts Sept. 5
Deferred for a week, program now scheduled to run until Nov. 7.
The City of Iqaluit’s metal waste cleanup program is a measure to clear large debris like scrap cars and ATVs from the streets. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)
The City of Iqaluit’s residential metal waste collection program will kick off on Thursday, after being delayed a week to allow staff more time to prepare for it.
Originally scheduled to start Aug. 29, the program will now run from Sept. 5 to Nov. 7, the city announced in a news release Wednesday.
In an effort to curb metal waste in the city — including a proliferation of derelict vehicles — the city is waiving tipping fees for metal waste disposal and offering transportation assistance for larger items that have to be taken away.
The dates were moved to “allow staff to prepare for the start of the program and ensure its effectiveness for our residents,” said Rod Mugford, the city’s senior executive director of operations, in an email.
City council approved the program during its Aug. 27 meeting. It is for residential only, and not available to businesses or government agencies.
This is the first cleanup program of its kind in Iqaluit, beyond annual community cleanup efforts. It’s expected to cost $150,000, from revenue lost through the waiving of tipping fees.
The regular fee to dispose of large waste, including cars, snowmobiles or construction debris, ranges from $15 to $575 depending on the type of waste.
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Don’t you think this should be the SOLUTION with the Department of ENVIRONMENT & COMMUNITY & GOVERNMENT SERVICE’s??? Who is looking into improved LANDFILL Sites, Metal Scrap yard, and Sewage Lagoon’s? This certainly raises concern if actually the Deputy Minister’s and it’s Executive Director’s are actually doing their research or various companies to recycle metals etc.
Is this Territorial functions, and it’s slackers!?!
Dear Nunatsiaq:
The City’s decision to launch a residential metal waste collection program is a commendable initiative. By waiving tipping fees and providing transportation assistance for larger items, the city is effectively removing financial and logistical barriers that might otherwise discourage residents from disposing of metal waste properly. This proactive approach addresses the issue of derelict vehicles and other metal waste that can contribute to environmental and aesthetic problems in the community. By making it easier and more affordable for residents to participate, the city is fostering a cleaner, more organized urban environment.
Additionally, the delay in the program’s start date to ensure thorough preparation underscores the city’s commitment to executing the initiative effectively. This extra time allows staff to make necessary adjustments and fine-tune logistics, which is crucial for the smooth operation of the program. The inclusion of residential metal waste in the cleanup efforts, distinct from annual community cleanups, highlights a focused and systematic approach to waste management. Overall, the program represents a significant investment in the city’s environmental health and reflects a well-considered strategy to enhance public services and community well-being.
Tommy
ChatGPT much?
this is awesome and friendly for normal people on none or small income, no one need new big crazy tax that hurts the wallet Right ? and many cant afford big tax. thank you city of iqaluit to make that available to us, i dont have scrap vehicules but do appreciate your good move
Where do you think the city gets its money for this, trees?
There needs to a rational funding method on this I agree, placing the onus on the city might not be reasonable or sustainable, at the same time placing it on individual residents, many of whom can’t afford it and place no priority on it doesn’t work. If you are content to leave the city looking like the inside of a garbage dump, we leave it at a standoff and you can enjoy a pyrrhic moral victory. As others have said before the charge for removing waste like this should be made up front when vehicles are imported into the city.
Can we do something like this in Rankin please?
This is a common sense approach that was suggested through the city’s comments and complaints page on their site. They should promote that they are taking these comments and actioning them
I’m going to stop paying the garbage portion of my municipal fees and just start piling my garbage up outside. The city should waive the fees for garbage collection to curb waste in the city, including the proliferation of my household waste.
That’s how this works, right?
This type of cleanup is long overdue. In order to make it really work properly, the City will have to go around and literally pick up the derelict vehicles (not merely “offer assistance”), one by one. And, there are a lot of them, most notably in the downtown core area. (They seem to have been reproducing on their own!)
All costs related to vehicle disposal (including haulage, draining of fluids, crushing, and sealifting out for proper recycling) should be paid from a surcharge on every vehicle brought into the territory. This is the only way to tackle the financial incentive to leave junk vehicles lying around. (Remember that any cost to users to dispose of junk vehicles will incentivize low-income people to leave junk lying around, especially keeping in mind that Iqaluit has a lot of public housing. Such settings are very different from big-city subdivisions, where the municipality can simply clean up a private homeowner’s lot and add the cost to the homeowner’s property-tax bill.)