Minto councillors agree with its Communities in Bloom committee, which recommends the county should take a hand in composting at local transfer stations and landfill sites
A resolution from the committee to council stated that communities in Minto were forced to close their composting areas due to the abuse by a minority of irresponsible residents.
However, the resolution states that Minto acknowledges the benefits to the environment by composting leaves and plants – but not household waste such as furniture.
The committee believes composting at county transfer stations and landfill sites would also extend the life of landfill sites.
The group then asked the town to appeal to Wellington County council to develop Ministry of the Environment approved composing sites at all transfer stations and landfill sites so they can be policed by county employees and eliminate the potential of household waste being dumped in the compost pile.
Clerk Barb Wilson commented that Hamilton, which implemented a state-of-the-art facility in 2005, is looking to be able to divert 65% of the materials from its landfill in 2008.
That in itself will divert roughly 60,000 tonnes of organic waste each year by making use of the composting facility.
Councillor Barb Burrows noted that some of the windfarms in Shelburne are attempting something similar – trying to tie everything together.
