Is the ‘Status Quo’ Good Enough? CRD Tackles Our Growing Waste Problem

It’s a problem we all contribute to, whether we realize it or not: what happens to our trash? For residents of the Capital Regional District (CRD), the answer largely lies with the Hartland Landfill in Saanich. But here’s the uncomfortable truth – the Hartland Landfill is nearing its capacity, and simply continuing with the ‘status quo’ is no longer an option.

The Hartland Challenge: Time is Ticking

The CRD is facing a critical juncture. Our regional landfill, a vital piece of infrastructure, has a projected lifespan that is shrinking faster than we’d like. This isn’t just a municipal headache; it’s an environmental and logistical challenge that demands immediate and innovative solutions.

Two Streams to a Sustainable Future

Recognizing the urgency, the CRD is not putting all its eggs in one basket. Instead, they are pursuing a dual-track strategy designed to both manage our immediate needs and build a more sustainable future for waste management:

Stream 1: Extending Hartland’s Life – A Necessary Stopgap

First and foremost, the CRD is actively exploring ways to extend the operational life of the existing Hartland Landfill. This isn’t about ignoring the problem, but rather buying critical time. Methods under consideration often include:

• Optimizing compaction techniques to maximize space utilization.
• Improving daily cover practices.
• Potentially re-engineering parts of the landfill footprint.

This extension is crucial. It provides a buffer, ensuring we don’t face an immediate crisis while more complex, long-term solutions are developed.

Stream 2: Pioneering Alternatives – Beyond the Landfill

While extending Hartland’s life provides short-term relief, the real game-changer lies in the second stream of work: a dedicated pursuit of trash alternatives and the development of the *next* regional landfill. This involves a comprehensive approach:

• Exploring New Landfill Sites: The CRD is undertaking the complex and often contentious process of identifying and assessing potential new landfill sites within the region. This is a long-term project requiring extensive environmental assessments, community engagement, and regulatory approvals.
• Aggressive Waste Reduction: A core philosophy is to generate less waste in the first place. This includes enhancing recycling programs, promoting composting, and advocating for policies that reduce packaging and encourage reusable products.
• Innovative Technologies: The CRD is looking beyond traditional landfilling, investigating advanced waste-to-resource technologies such as anaerobic digestion, material recovery facilities (MRFs) with enhanced sorting capabilities, and even thermal treatment options, all with a focus on environmental sustainability and resource recovery.

Our Role in the Solution

The CRD’s efforts are commendable, but they cannot succeed without the collective action of every resident. From diligently separating our recyclables and organics to rethinking our consumption habits, each decision we make contributes to the larger picture. The ‘status quo’ might have been acceptable once, but as our region grows and our resources become more precious, embracing change isn’t just an option – it’s an imperative. Let’s work together to transform our waste challenge into an opportunity for innovation and sustainability.

Source: Original Article