The regional district will continue to separate household hazardous waste at the Campbell Mountain landfill.
The regional district’s Environment and Infrastructure Committee decided last Thursday to award the 2011 contract for household hazardous waste (HHW) to Newalta Corporation. The company scored 97 on the regional district’s rating scale, while rivals Hazco and Clean Harbours both scored 78.
The regional district took into account a technical and cost evaluation of the companies competing for the contract.
Household hazardous waste is mainly made up of chemicals. The regional district has been collecting HHW since 2005, and the operations include such things as staff training, on site acceptance, sorting and interim storage of HHW . Newalta will also be responsible for the bulking, packing, transportation, and disposal of collected HHW.
In 2010, 85.5 metric tonnes of HHW was diverted from Campbell Mountain.
Committee members were concerned about the distance residents had to travel in order to dispose of HHW, asking if temporary collection facilities could be established closer to source.
Area “C” Director Allan Patton pushed for collection of agricultural chemicals and pesticide containers as well.
Keremeos Director Walter Despot was happy to see the program continue, noting that further efforts needed to be made to educate the public with respect to the hazards of improper dumping of HHW, something Area “G” Director Christensen agreed with, noting that a number of residents in Area “G” continued to dump liquids using environmentally unsound practises.
CAO Bill Newell noted that with the awarding of the new contract, there was still some budget money left to fund an education and possibly host a one day hazardous waste depot in the city.
The estimated annual cost of Newalta’s proposal will be in the order of $70,267.
The recommendation will come before the regional district board for approval at a future meeting.