Nathan VanderKlippe
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 26/01) - Iqaluit doesn't have the equipment it needs as the Dec. 3 launch date for a new recycling program nears.

Without it, recyclables can't be flown South for processing, although they will still be diverted from the waste stream.

"The program needs a large volume compactor-baler machine," said Nunavut's public works distribution supervisor, John Thomas.

The device turns plastic or metal waste into 650-kilogram bales. Airlines fly the bales free of charge to Ottawa, using the weight for balance.

Until the gear arrives, recyclables will be stored at a new addition to the dump.

Making matters worse, a shredder-baler used to press paper into bales has broken down, and must be sent to North Carolina. The machine, designed to be run for three hours a day, was used as much as eight hours a day, five days a week.

Bryan Hellwig, who picks up used paper in town, has been storing it at his own facility and bales some with his own device.

"I'd hate to see this program die," he said.

But no money is available for repairs or new equipment, and it seems unlikely the machinery will be in place by Dec. 3.

Iqaluit's Recycling Society has offered to raise funds for a baler, but is calling on the city to do its part.

"The date's coming up pretty quickly here for the launch and there's a lot left to do," said Lynn Peplinski, vice-president of the society. "There's not a very good plan in place yet. Hopefully there will be soon."

"The whole thing is on a bit of a wing and a prayer," said activist Paul Crowley, who is suing the city for burning its garbage.

The Department of Public Works, which shoulders much of the financial weight of paper recycling, is not about to contribute more. "It is the city of Iqaluit's recycling program," said Thomas. "My department is obviously not going to spend $150,000 on a compactor."

A new compactor can cost between $20,000 and $150,000, depending on the options included, he added.

Waiting for the cash

City Coun. Keith Irving said a draft budget allows for $50,000 in capital for next year's program. "We've got to take some action and cross our fingers that the final pieces of the puzzle will fall in place," he said.

The city's request for a quote on balers drew little attention, however -- council said the one response was unsatisfactory.

City engineer Matthew Hough said there are still advantages to launching the recycling program next month, even if materials cannot be flown out immediately.

"The key is that this material will be out of the burn," he said. "Many members of the public ... have been asking for us to change the way we deal with our waste."

The new recycling program will involve metals and all plastics.

Original plans called for the use of type 1 and 2 plastics only, because the company that will process Iqaluit's recyclables accepts only those types. But councillors feared residents would be confused if asked to sort their plastics. So far, council has found no other company willing to process the other types.

The new service involves distributing 2,000 blue boxes and a two-month supply of blue bags to city households.