waste managment information meeting

Information about the proposal to upgrade our recycling centre and free store is available from the Powell River Regional District webte, http://www.powellriverrd.bc.ca/ 

It's in the agenda package for the June 14 Committee of the Whole meeting, at https://powellriverregionaldistrict.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/72543... The PDF one wouldn't open for me, but the Html one worked fine.

Item 5.2 is an email from Mark Bottomley about our current waste management.  It's at:
https://powellriverregionaldistrict.civicweb.net/document/79879/Correspo...

Item 6.9 (page 91 - 97) is a 3 page report on the situation. You can reach it directly at:  https://powellriverregionaldistrict.civicweb.net/document/79989/Laqueti%...

and an Appendix A which is 3 pages of plans of the site, the proposed covered area with containers at each end, and the proposed expanded lease area for the free store/recycling centre, behind the fire hall.  It's at:
https://powellriverregionaldistrict.civicweb.net/document/79988/Laqueti%...

Here's a summary of the situation:  PRRD had a contract with MMBC, now called Recycle BC, but some of the material recycled did not meet their standards for non-contamination. They said our recycling facility was out of compliance, and needed to have a paved or concreted area, covered and fenced, so that the materials being recycled could be kept free of contamination. We stopped using MMBC/Recycle BC, because there were other organizations who accepted materials being recycled.  In the last year, since China stopped accepting the world's recycling, these alternatives have become scarce and difficult to satisfy, when they can be found.  It seems to be that re-joining Recycle BC is the best option, and this will require at least concrete below and a roof above and a fence around, with a locked gate when it isn't open. The free store will stay outside the fence.

The proposal includes a washroom and laundry, to meet the Worksafe BC requirements. I understand that the free store/recycling apparently now has a written agreement with the Lasqueti Last Resort Society for the employees to have access to the washroom at the Health Centre. The Lasqueti fire department will have a similar agreement before too long, so the firefighters and first responders can use the washroom and shower facilities.

Also included in the proposal is purchase of a 20kw, 3 phase generator to power the compactor. Currently one is rented from its on-island owner.

The good news is that our regional district has "reserves" of $230,000 from our already-paid taxes that will be used for this project. There is no estimated cost, and there probably won't be until proposals are asked for some time (hopefully) this fall.

If you haven't noticed yet, our tax rate for waste management this year is reduced to $10.03 per $100,000 assessed value from $95.22 last year, because Lasqueti has been amalgamated into the whole regional district's waste management program, and many more households and properties are sharing the costs.

The bad news is that we have to upgrade the facilities and then do a couple of "test" shipments to Recycle BC, and if they meet their standards, they'll let us re-join. If not, we'll have upgraded facilities, but no way to recycle on Lasqueti.