Burning trash is fun and dangerous job
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Jan 15/01) - Darcy Reist is a lucky man.
Not only does he get to salvage through all of the stuff that makes its way to Iqaluit's landfill site, but he also gets to set fire to that which is not worthy of a second chance.
As he talks about his job inside the shack at what is colloquially called the dump -- a radio someone threw away plays softly in the background -- it's easy to see that Reist likes his work.
"Sometimes you get a good flame," said Reist, of what can happen at the open burn waste facility.
"I've been a volunteer at the fire department and I've dealt with putting out fires. Setting them is easy," he said.
His job title is "waste facility operator," and Reist said the task of igniting the trash can sometimes be a dangerous one because of what people throw away. While he sorts through the garbage and separates the wood from the metals and the hazardous materials, it's what people put in their garbage bags at home that can be risky.
"Some people get lazy and throw out the wrong things, like bullets, propane cans. Any type of pressurized can is dangerous and when I set the fire I'm very close," said Reist.
To help ensure his safety, Reist uses a bulldozer to work and contain the fire. An incinerator will replace the current open burn method next year , eliminating the danger and the noxious smoke..
"When there's a southeast wind, we eat the smoke," said Reist.
"I know the contaminants are harmful so we try and keep out of the smoke. That's why we're closing down the dump and getting rid of the open-pit burning," he said.
Also falling under his job description is the safety of the general public. Reist said they'd actually closed the dump to people wishing to scavenge because the combination of fire, sharp metals and hazardous goods made officials at the municipality realize it was just too dangerous. Reist said that meant separating the good items from the garbage and setting them aside for people.
"You get all sorts of things out here in the dump," he said.
"Sometimes you get brand new stuff. There's wood, cabinets, computer parts, so much that I have to try and keep it down what I take home," he said.
