ENERGY FROM WASTE PRESENTATION SHOWS WHY GREENBOX NEEDED

Last week, Wheelabrator, a subsidiary of Waste Management that runs energy from waste plants in the United States, gave a presentation on energy from waste. Even with the presentation a number of questions remain about costs and emissions.

However, what was clear is that, regardless of whether the decision is made to use alternative technologies for garbage, we still need to go ahead with the greenbox program to take organic materials out of the garbage.

Energy from waste is not simply a matter of dumping all garbage in a furnace and burning it. Whether it is the high temperature incinerators used by Wheelabrator in the United States or the Plasmification technology being tried out in Ottawa, the cost varies depending on the energy value of the garbage being burned.

Even with waste that has a high energy value energy from waste is at least as expensive as sending it to the landfill – with most technologies that have been in use for some time it is actually significantly more expensive. With organic waste, the high water content makes it expensive to incinerate and very little electricity is generated. This means that, if organic waste is not part of the garbage stream going to an energy from waste plant, the plant will be a lot cheaper to operate.

In cities like Halifax and Toronto a “greenbox” program is used to collect organic waste - things like food scraps and cat litter - which is then composted, instead of being sent to landfills. What is proposed for Ottawa is similar, but with one important difference.

Unlike other cities, organic waste will be collected once a week year round. This means that for garbage that causes odours or could attract wild animals, the collection frequency will be the same as it is today.

City council will be discussing the proposal for the organics program between when I am writing this and when you will be reading it. Hopefully the greenbox program will be adopted.

The alternative is continuing to send organic waste to landfills, which makes the expansion of existing landfills and the creation of new ones inevitable.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN CLEANING UP KANATA

This year Spring Cleaning the Capital will take place between Sunday, April 15 and Tuesday, May 15, 2007. Kanata has always had a large number of people participating. We take pride in our community and want it to look its best.

People can participate with neighbourhood organizations and associations, schools, businesses, families, or as individuals. 

To register, select a cleanup location, put together your spring cleanup team, register your project online at ottawa.ca/clean or by calling 311 (TTY: 613-580-2401).  Locations can be on public property or an area in your neighbourhood requiring tidying up after the winter months.

People registering on or before Friday, April 13 have a chance to win Early Bird prizes. Spring Cleaning the Capital participants who submit completed cleanup reports by Thursday, May 31 are also eligible to win one of many prizes donated by Spring Cleaning the Capital sponsors.

Cleanup starter kits are available to registrants upon request while quantities last and include disposable vinyl gloves, garbage bags, leaf-and-yard waste bags and tips to assist your cleanup project.

You can get more information by going to ottawa.ca/clean.

TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO DIED BUILDING THE RIDEAU CANAL

Ottawa’s history starts with the building of the Rideau Canal. Many of the original settlers of what is now Kanata are people who worked on building the Canal.

With the 175th anniversary of the construction of the Canal, a number of events are taking place to highlight both the achievement and the human cost.

On Saturday April 21, an event featuring traditional Ottawa Valley music, songs and stories will be held as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the building of the Rideau Canal. It will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Dominion Chalmers United Church, 355 Cooper Street.

WORKING FULL-TIME FOR KANATA SOUTH

I appreciate the chance to hear from you about issues affecting our community. You can reach me at 613-580-2752 (office), 613-580-2762 (fax), or peggy.feltmate@ottawa.ca