HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-128-83 �F r
CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT T.T.EDWARDS,M.C.I.P.,Director
HAMPTON,ONTARIO LOB 1JO TEL.(416)263-2231
REPORT TO THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19, 1983
REPORT NO. : PO-128-83
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.SUB,)ECT:Blueprint for Waste Management in Ontario
RECOMMENDATION:
It -is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and
Administration Committee recommend to Council the
following :
1 . That Report PD-128-83 be received ; and
2• That Council endorse the comments on the
"Blueprint for Waste Management in Ontario"
attached to Report PD-128-83; and
3. That these comments be forwarded to the
Ministry of the Environment as the Town of
Newcastle' s comments on the "Blueprint for
Waste Management in Ontario".
BACKGROUND:
On June 13th, 1983, the Ministry of the Environment released
a document entitled "Blueprint for Waste Management in
Ontario" . The Blueprint, together with its eleven (11 )
appendices , is a comprehensive proposal which outlines "a
suggested approach to the creation of a logical , organized
and effective overall waste management program for
Ontario. "
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REPORT
NO. : PD-128-83 Page 2 /
The Blueprint notes that each of the 8.5 million people in
Ontario generates an average of 2.0 kgs. (4.5 lbs. ) of
garbage every day, for a total of 6.2 million tonnes (7
million) tons per year. As well , 270 million litres (60
60 million gallons) of liquid waste is generated each year,
of which ten to fifteen percent is toxic or hazardous. The
Blueprint provides a comprehensive discussion of the
management of this waste from its generation through
recycling through to its ultimate safe disposal . A summary
of some of the major issues discussed by the Blueprint is
presented below:
Four R' s of Waste Management
The four R 's - reduction (reducing the quantity of
waste generated) , reuse (eg. refillable glass
bottles) , recovery (processing of waste to reclaim
material or produce energy) , and recycling (use of a
waste product in a manufacturing process) - are central
to a more efficient waste management system. The
Blueprint deals at length with these topics , discussing
such concerns as markets for recycled products, cost
and organizational problems .
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Area Waste Management Planning
The Blueprint states that municipalities must assume a
greater responsibility for waste management. Under a
program which has been in place for almost ten (10)
years , the Province will provide financial assistance
to any municipality wishing to conduct an area waste
eanagement planning study. The objective of such a
study is to provide "a comprehensive , long term, waste
management plan which will identify the most economic
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REPORT NO. : PD-128-83 Page 3
and environmentally sound systems for the handling,
transportation, processing and disposal of solid waste
generated within the area of study. The studies
examine waste reduction, source separation and material
and energy recovery as integral parts of the waste
management strategy." The end result is the
development of a Waste Management Master Plan which
addresses the waste management needs of the study area
for at least twenty (2.0) years and which is
co-ordinated with other municipal planning activities,
in particular land use planning.
The responsibility for waste management in the Region
of Durham lies mainly with the Regional Government .
Recent discussions with Regional Works staff indicate
that the Region has applied for and received approval
of financial assistance to conduct an area waste
management planning study. The study is not expected
to begin until late 1983. Regional staff hope to have
the resulting Waste Management Master Plan incorporated
into the Durham Region Official Plan.
Perpetual Care Program
Currently, there are approximately fourteen hundred
(1400) active landfill sites in Ontario, with many more
closed and inactive. As well , it is important to note
that , no matter how efficient a waste management
system is, not all waste can be recycled or used.
Therefore , landfills will always be necessary as the
final repository for those wastes requiring disposal .
The Provincial Government has recognized the need to j
maintain both the short term and long term
environmental integrity of landfill sites and has
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REPORT NO. : PD-128-83 Page 4
proposed the development of a Perpetual Care Program.
The basic intent of such a program would be to insure
that funds would be available to remedy any problems
which might arise during or after the active life of a
landfill , and to provide compensation to those who
might suffer harm as a result. During the act of life
Of a site, the operator would be held accountable. The
Province has proposed that, after site closure and a
number of years has elapsed, the Province would assume
responsibility for the site. The Province has proposed
a variety of methods to provide the financial
assurances necessary for such a program.
Private Waste Management Facilities
Currently, the Environmental Assessment Act, which
requires the preparation of an environmental assessment
for a waste management facility, only applies to
facilities proposed or operated by public bodies .
Privately operated facilities are subject to the
Environmental Protection Act which requires the holding
of a public hearing. The Blueprint has proposed that,
"in the interest of consistent rules governing
environmental protection, all waste management
facilities , whether operated by municipalities or
private industry, should come under the authority of
the Environmental Assessment Act."
The Ministry has launched a public participation program to
obtain comments from the public , municipalities , other
agencies and industry prior to the final drafting of
Policies and legislation. Public information meetings were
held through the province during the summer, including a
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REPORT NO. : PD-128-83 Page 5
meeting on August 24th, 1983 in Whitby which was attended by
a representative from the Planning Department.
A series of public meetings are being held throughout
Ontario in September and October at which. interested parties
may make written or verbal submissions on the Blueprint and
the issues involved. As well , written comments mailed
directly to the Ministry in Toronto are being welcomed.
There are no public meetings scheduled to be held in Durham
Region.
A copy of the Blueprint was forwarded to the Town of
Newcastle in late June. Planning Department staff have
* reviewed the document and have prepared comments (attached)
for Council 's consideration. It is recommended that Council
endorse these comments as the Town's comments on the
"Blueprint for Waste Management in Ontario" •and that the
comments be submitted directly to the Ministry of the
Enviromitent in Toronto. A copy of the Blueprint is
available for review at the Planning Department offices.
Respectfu b ed,
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T.T. Edwards , M.C. I.P.
Director of Planning
TTE*jip
*Attach.
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'r r.ORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
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40 TEMPERANCE STREET
BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO /
- LIC 3A6 TELEPHONE 623-3379
September 26, 1983
The Honourable Andrew S. Brandt
Minister of the Environment
Suite 100
135 St . Clair Avenue West
Toronto, Ontario
110 1 P5
Dear Sir :
Re: Blueprint for Waste Management in Ontario
The Town of Newcastle has reviewed the Blueprint for Waste
Management in Ontario. We feel very strongly that current
waste management practices should be revised and are
especially pleased that the Ministry of the Environment is
conducting such a thorough review of the issue and is
providing an opportunity for the public to express its
views.
Conventional waste management practices often have serious
implications for landuse planning and, as an area
municipality, the Town of Newcastle is most concerned with
this aspect of waste management. One issue of particular
concern to the Town is the heavy reliance of society on
sanitary landfills as the answer to our waste management
needs. Landfills often compete with agriculture for the use
of land since many of the qualitites which snake land
suitable for agricultural production (eg, uniform soil
structure and hydrogeologic patterns) are also those sought
for landfill sites. In addition, area residents are often
concerned with the noise and traffic hazards associated with
heavy trucks hauling waste to the landfills, as well as the
environmental integrity on the landfill itself,
The Town of Newcastle recognizes that landfills are a
necessary component of any waste management system.
However, we also recognize that much of the material which
is currently considered as waste and slated for disposal in
landfills can be recycled and reused, thereby reducing the
amount of material actually disposed of. Because of the
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The Honourable Andrew S. Brandt -2_ September 7, 1983 /
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ciany concerns related to sanitary landfills, the Town
supports the development of programs which would reduce the
need for new landfills or the expansion of existing sites.
We are also pleased that the Ministry of the Environment has
proposed the development of a Perpetual Care Program for
waste disposal sites . As noted earlier, the potential
impact of such sites on the natural environment and area
residents is an issue of concern to many people. The
development of a program which would help insure the
environmental integrity of disposal sites in perpetuity
would do much to allay the public 's fear and mistrust of
such facilities .
The Region of Durham, of which the Town of Newcastle is a
member municipality, has recently applied for and received
provincial funding to assist in the preparation of a Waste
Management Master Plan. The Town is looking forward to
participating in the study process and helping to develop
and establish a more efficient and effective waste
management system for the Region.
We recognize however that, in order for any waste management
system to be effective, the system will have to work "from
the ground up". There must be a commitment among individual
members of the public , business and industry to the various
elements of improved waste management, such as source
separation and the redesign of product packaging. Therefore,
the Town of Newcastle strongly supports the establishment of
an education program to acquaint the public and business
with the direct and indirect benefits which can accrue from
a more sensible waste management program.
In summary, we would like to emphasize that the Town of
Newcastle supports the efforts of the Ministry of the
Environment to revise current waste management practices in
Ontario.
Yours truly,
Mayor Garnet B. Rickard
on behal f of the
Council of the Town of Newcastle
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