At the June 26th South Dundas council meeting, after months of pushing for a local electronic waste disposal option, councillor Archie Mellan was happy to hear that a solution was finally within reach.
Hugh Garlough, manager of public works, presented council with a proposal from RDLong Computers Limited for the collection of electronic waste.
The company has offered to provide covered storage containers at each of the landfill sites. In addition, the company will be responsible for collecting the items and for any associated costs.
RDLong Computers Limited was first approached by Pauline Pratt of the House of Lazarus as the company currently collects and processes all the electronic waste brought to the charity’s location in Mountain.
The charity receives money from the company based on the weight of materials collected. Under RDLong’s proposal to the township, the House of Lazarus will receive the same compensation for anything collected at the South Dundas landfill sites.
“I am sure this would result in a win-win situation for everyone,” said Raymond Long, “area residents would have a more convenient location to bring their unwanted electronics, more of this type of material could be diverted from the landfills, and it would certainly help to increase the revenue that the House of Lazarus receives for their collection efforts.”
Mellan agreed with Long, but went one step further and said, “I think it’s a win-win-win situation.” He believes the deal will benefit South Dundas residents, the township, and the House of Lazarus.
Garlough informed council that the township has already received permission from the Ministry of Environment to go ahead and collect the electronic waste without need to change the Certificate of Approval.
Referring to the lengthy wait to get this set up, Garlough said, “what took the most time was to get the go ahead from the Ministry of Environment.”
With the plan in place and things ready to proceed, Mellan expressed concern for the success of the program explaining that in order for it to work, the public must be educated and informed about the availability of the new electronics waste disposal containers.
Mayor Steven Byvelds agreed, “we have to educate the public.”
Landfill staff will be given a list of items to be accepted for the program. While items brought in do not have to work, they do have to be in one piece. Anything smashed won’t be accepted.
“It will work for all of us in the end,” said Byvelds. “It’s a good program. I’m glad it all worked out.”
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