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At the Inuvik Dump, proprietor of AB Salvage and waste management contract holder for the town of Inuvik Albert Bernhardt stands in front of a container load of aluminum cans bound for Edmonton. For almost four years, Bernhardt has been a pioneer of sorts, recycling on his own accord. However, with the recent Beverage Container Recovery Act, Bernhardt believes the town should take a more active role in recycling. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

Should the town be involved in recycling

Waste management contractor says yes
Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Nov 26/04) - Known for her tireless promotion of green solutions, Inuvik's recycling lady Barb Armstrong appeared before town council Monday to ask that the Town of Inuvik combine its waste management contract with a program for recycling.

Spurred into action by the Resources Wildlife and Economic Development request for proposal (RFP) for a community beverage container depot in Inuvik, Armstrong appealed to council to tender bids for the project and combine it with the town's current waste management contract. The RFP is part of the territorial government's plans to initiate recycling efforts in the wake of Bill C-22, the territory's Beverage Container Recovery Act.

However, Armstrong received mixed reviews from council. Councillors Karen King and Terry Halifax supported her, saying that recycling was the town's responsibility. However, councillors Denny Rodgers and Paul Komaromi had some reservations, primarily the unknown cost factor.

While there may be the perception of self-interest in Armstrong's request -- she is the out-going president of the Inuvik Recycling Society and the wife of Albert Bernhardt, proprietor of AB Salvage, the company currently holding the waste management contract from the town -- she insists her proposal is the best way to go.

"We want to make recycling a sustainable endeavour and the only way to do this is by combining waste management with recycling," she said, adding that it was doubtful a beverage container depot could be a standalone business.

And Armstrong can back up her words with a track record of action. Through her involvement with the Inuvik Recycling Association and with the help of her husband's business, the town has enjoyed the recycling option for almost four years. In that time, Armstrong estimates more than two million items have been recovered from Inuvik's landfill.

At the dump Tuesday, Bernhardt -- whose contract with the town expires in September 2005 -- said combining the waste management contract with the coming government recycling initiatives is the best course of action.

"So when I leave, whoever takes over the dump will take on all the aspects of waste management."

As part of Bernhardt's contract with the town, he collects tipping fees for dumping, which he splits with the town. Since Bernhardt took over the contract in 2000, approximately $250,000 in tipping fees have been collected annually.

At council Monday, Armstrong suggested that the town allocate an amount they receive from tipping and put it towards sustaining a beverage depot and eventually a processing plant.

Such a plant -- one is planned for each region of the territory -- would allow the recycling of other materials, including cardboard and plastic. Currently, paper products, primarily cardboard, make up 73 per cent of all waste that ends up in the landfill.

Whether the town decides to go it Armstrong's way remains to be seen. At town hall Monday, council decided to refer the matter for further discussion.

However, with the RFP for a community beverage container depot in Inuvik closing Dec. 17, there is not much time. With this in mind, Mayor Peter Clarkson suggested that the town make a formal request to RWED to extend the deadline so it could more closely examine its options.