I recently learned that the Village of Haines Junction has agreed to process regional as well as local waste, therefore nearly doubling the volume the landfill has managed to date.
This makes diversion even more important. As we know from other municipalities and communities, a diversion rate of 80 per cent or better is possible.
I strongly believe that the Yukon communities that are being served by our landfill still have the responsibility to divert and sort their own waste and I strongly recommend that Haines Junction only accept diverted and sorted waste at our regional facility.
I do not believe in cleaning up other people’s messes and thus disabling them and taking away their responsibilities and self-respect.
I’m asking mayor and council to hire an expert in this field that can report to the public about how a diversion rate of 80 per cent is possible in Haines Junction if our waste management facility is also serving Destruction Bay, Burwash Landing, Beaver Creek, Canyon, Champagne and Pleasant Camp.
I’m asking mayor and council to set the goal to divert 80 per cent of the Haines Junction waste by 2014 or earlier and create and finance the infrastructure and jobs required for this.
I also ask that mayor and council request funding and assistance from the Yukon government to do the same for the other communities listed above, so they qualify to have their waste processed at the Haines Junction facility.
I furthermore ask that mayor and council enter into a waste management diversion program, in which experts show the public how to thoroughly divert their garbage.
At a recent public meeting it seemed that all were in support to increase the diversion rate. It is a good thing no matter which method we choose eventually to deal with the remaining 20 per cent.
I believe that only if you set your goal will you achieve it. Eighty per cent diversion or better by 2014 or earlier.
Claudia Heath
Haines Junction