Mayor's Report - March 2007

An operations analysis of the compactor and recycling facilities for 2006 has again provided some very interesting statistics. Last year Belcarra residents generated 436,286 pounds (218.1 tons) of refuse and 137,320 pounds (68.7 tons) of recyclables. This was a total waste stream of 573,606 pounds (286.8 tons) for 2006.

It is interesting to note that the volume of waste for 2006 equates to 1,738 pounds per household, which is the same as last year, but 16% more than the “low” of 1,500 pounds per household disposed in 1995! The question is: “Why has the waste per household been ‘fluctuating’ in recent years?” One reason is that 90% of accessory suites in the Village are now paying their annual garbage disposal fee, which probably accounts for the apparent decrease in waste disposed on a per household basis in 2005. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that unauthorized use of Belcarra’s refuse and recycle facilities is the culprit — residents have observed persons from neighbouring areas bringing their garbage to Belcarra!

In 1999 the GVRD residential sector generated 738,656 tons (671,505 tonnes) of solid waste which equates to 702 lbs per capita. By comparison, Belcarra’s 700 residents generated a total of 286.8 tons of solid waste in 2006 which equates to 819 lbs per capita of which 24% was recycled. In other words, it would appear that Belcarra residents generated 17% more solid waste per capita in 2006 than the GVRD average. I interpret these statistics as probable confirmation that garbage is being “imported” into Belcarra for disposal!

The proportion of waste recycled in 2006 accounted for 24% of the total, which is significantly below the ‘high’ of 31% recycled in 1999. Further analysis shows that it cost $131 per ton to transport and dispose of the garbage (compared to $113 per ton in 2005), and only $75 per ton to transport and process the recyclables (compared to $67 per ton in 2005). Disposal costs are rapidly increasing, primarily due to increased haulage charges and fuel cost surcharges. It is therefore imperative that Belcarra significantly improve the percentage diverted to recycling in order to contain the growth in waste disposal costs.

When Belcarra’s recycling program began in 1990, processing recyclables actually cost a “premium” over garbage disposal costs. However, by the start of 1994, the cost of processing recyclables had decreased to $69 per ton, the same cost as the “tip fee” at the regional landfills. Today, recycling saves the community $65 per ton! The obvious conclusion:

We can only improve our recycling effort with the total involvement and support of the users of the system, that is, the residents of Belcarra. The cost of garbage disposal will continue to increase in the coming years, and there will be an increased price to pay if we don't continue to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

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