Inuvik (July 06/01) - A Calgary-based company wants to take care of the region's oily waste, and do it here.

During a presentation to Inuvik town council last week, Ron Lincz, vice-president with Newpark Environmental Services, pointed out that this coming winter petroleum exploration and drilling will produce a lot of waste.

Ron Lincz

Lincz said that in particular, some companies will want to drill with oil-based systems, and that oil-based drilling fluid is needed when drilling offshore. He pointed out that, in addition, any spill of diesel or other fuel results in wastes.

Lincz pointed out that, currently, companies have to ship hydrocarbon-contaminated wastes south.

"It is extremely expensive to ship everything south," Lincz said. "It makes a lot of sense to come North here and set up a facility to handle that waste."

Lincz said that, if approved by regulators -- and if council eventually approves -- Newpark will construct a compost treatment facility at Inuvik's landfill.

He explained that, once the operation is set up, it will receive waste and staff will examine it to make sure it's suitable for composting.

"We then blend it with other amendments and construct it into a compost windrow," Lincz said.

The compost process goes on for 18 to 24 months, after which the compost may be used as day cover for the landfill, or added to garden soil.

Lincz said wood is usually mixed in to allow air to penetrate the windrows, and speeding up the compost process. He said the company is still looking for a supply of wood waste in the area.

This comment sparked discussion among council. It was pointed out that a lot of the waste that goes to the landfill consists of cardboard boxes.

Lincz said his company would need about five acres. He said composting would work this far North because temperatures within the windrow range from 50 to 70 C in the early stages, and 30 to 40 C later on.

Lincz said his company would rely a great deal on Delta firms, and manpower, to help in the project. Newpark, he added, has more than 400 compost projects in Alberta and B.C., as well as treatment facilities in Nova Scotia and Wyoming.

Council agreed to give Newpark's proposal a closer look.