Rural Residents Invited To Shape Direction Of New Solid Waste Management Plan

Comox Strathcona Waste Management is renewing its solid waste management plan and needs the public to share their input on the long-term vision of solid waste management for the region.

The multi-year process will outline how garbage, recycling, yard, and food waste programs are managed over the next decade. The CSWM is currently in Step 3 of the four-step process.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy recommends that Solid Waste Management Plans be renewed every ten years to ensure they reflect best practices, the evolving realities of solid waste and alignment with provincial targets.

The last plan was updated in 2012. Meanwhile, the CSWM service area population has grown 13% during that time and is forecast to continue to grow.

“As our communities change, we must ensure we adapt how we manage our solid waste,” said Vivian Schau, Senior Manager of Comox Strathcona Waste Management Services.

“It’s important that we hear what rural residents and businesses would like to see in the future to ensure that the renewed Plan reflects the access and convenience levels necessary to support diversion efforts and our overall goals. A sustainable future requires that we find new and innovative ways to reduce waste, extending the life of our landfills and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions”.

Over the next three months, rural residents and business owners are being asked to discuss potential strategies, and to bring additional strategies forward to achieve the goals and guiding principles that were supported during earlier phases of the process.

Step 3 consultation will be a two-part process that will see initial outreach this summer and will continue with broad public engagement on the preferred options and strategies next year.

Online, feedback will be collected until 4 pm Wednesday, September 25th at Comox Strathcona Waste Management. 

Open House Events this July from 5 pm to 7 pm:

• Fanny Bay Community Hall - 7793 Island Hwy S, Fanny Bay – July 16th.
• Union Bay Community Hall - 5401 Island Hwy S, Union Bay - July 17th.
• Huband Park Elementary School - 5120 Mottishaw Rd, Courtenay – July 18th.
• Ocean Resort Hotel and Event Centre - 4384 S Island Hwy, Campbell River – July 23rd.
• Black Creek Community Hall - 2001 Black Creek Rd, Black Creek – July 25th.

Community Events:

• Quadra Island – Aroma Cove Café – 657 Harper Road - July 19th, 2 pm to 5 pm.
• Cortes Island Waste Management Centre  - 1300 Squirrel Cove Road, Cortes Island - July 21st, 9 am to 11 am.