Inuvik (Mar 25/05) - After being chosen to operate the planned beverage container depot and regional processing plant by Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (RWED), AB Salvage may have to back out after all.

Danielle Elanik sorts tin cans at the landfill. Since taking over the landfill monitoring contract in 2001, AB Salvage, with the help of the Inuvik Recycling Society, has initiated its own recycling program. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

The operation is supposed to be set up at the Inuvik landfill, which is located on town land.

"In order for the town to be fair to everyone in the community, we would have had to offer that option to everyone (who bid on the project)," said Mayor Peter Clarkson.

"We can't allow a private business to operate a business on town land."

Speaking on behalf of AB Salvage, Barb Armstrong - wife of AB Salvage proprietor Albert Bernhardt - says that without a letter from the town, the company's bid is dead in the water.

"The GNWT won't move on it until the town issues a letter of support," she said.

"All we want to do is continue what we've already been doing. (The town) keeps telling me they support recycling so at this point I guess we'll have to take a leap of faith."

The Town of Inuvik's public works committee has recommended that council write a letter to RWED, supporting AB Salvage's plans to construct either the depot or a processing plant at the landfill.

Council will make a final decision on the matter at Wednesday's council meeting.

If council decides not to provide this letter of recommendation, RWED will be obliged to offer the contract to another bidder or issue another Request For Proposal for the depot.