If you hail from the city of Toronto, you probably won't want to read this.
A couple of years ago, when the Keele Valley landfil site closed, Toronto went looking for an alternative place to dump their garbage. An abandoned mine in Kirkland lake was looking good to them, but the residents banded together and managed to stall the deal.
The second deal the Toronto government came up with was to truck it all to the US, Michigan would take it, for a price. Seemed like a Win Win, Toronto got rid of its trash and Michigan got some cash. 28 Million US this year
No one counted on the residents being just like any other normal folk, who DON'T want Toronto's Trash in their backyards. I must say I have to agree with these residents. 125 trucks a day travel down the highways into Michigan to dump 100% of Toronto's garbage. However, I must also note here, I haven't heard these same residents complain when 50,000 tones of hazardous waste was shipped TO Canada from Michigan.
Yesterday a case of Mad Cow disease was confirmed in Alberta Canada. When the garbage trucks headed out as usual this morning, they were turned back at the border. One would assume it was because of the fear of Mad Cow, or BSE entering the US in some of the garbage. The ban was temporary, but it sure caused a stir.
The news at noon was filled with the Minister of garbage??? Chris Stockwell, talking about possible alternate plans for the waste. He said the local transfer stations could hold it for couple of days, but no longer. After that it could be stacked in local parks and tennis courts. Not once did I hear mention of REDUCING the amount of waste Toronto generates.
When the deal with Michigan was first struck, reduction of the amount of waste Toronto shipped was talked about. It was said that by the year 2010 Waste reduction would be so successful there would be no need to ship any waste at all. Well, its the year 2003, and still they are talking about stacking garbage in local parks to cope with crisis, or as - shame on you Mr Stockwell- said last February, force other Municipalities to take the waste wheter they liked it or not. I suggest Mr Stockwell needs to rethink this plan of waste reduction.