Dez Loreen
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 07/05) - The Territorial government is offering to supply equipment to operators of recycling depots, but so far there are no takers.

John Bursey, manager of the Co-op store in Fort McPherson, said the government was too quick with the beverage container recycling program that started Nov. 1.

"They should have waited until every community had a depot, before the prices went up," said Bursey. "That was just poor planning."

Emery Paquin, director of environmental protection for Environment and Natural Resources, said solutions are on the way for northern communities.

"We're meeting with the communities, to seek any interested parties," he said.

As an added incentive, the government is willing to lease equipment to a depot operator, for one dollar.

The equipment includes a cash register, a weigh scale, packing and shipping bags along with a pallet jack.

"For a smaller community, the overall costs would be about $5,000 for all materials and supplies," said Paquin.

The communities of Paulatuk, Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk were approached as possible locations for northern depots.

"By mid-November, a schedule of pick ups and drop offs will be announced for any communities with no depot."

In the meantime, hold on to your recyclables, Paquin advised.

Arnie Steinwand, Aklavik general store manager, said the matter needs to be addressed immediately.

"A lot of people I've talked to don't like the idea of holding on to their recyclables," said Steinwand.

"The kids are also finding it difficult, paying more money for the same product."

Steinwand said he is telling customers to store their empties at home until a depot service can be provided.

He isn't the only store manager who has problems with the early stages of the recycling program. Joe Perry from the Holman Co-op said he's seen programs like this in other places, but they were better organized.

"I come from Prince Edward Island, and know very well what recycling does for the community," said Perry.

"Once the program gets going, it will be great."

Perry said that a depot is greatly needed in Holman.

"It's unfair that we charge for a deposit, and there's no place to get your refund yet," said Perry. In the Beaufort Delta, Inuvik has the only depot that offers refunds for containers.

Paquin said the main goal of the program is to sustain healthy living in the North through recycling.

"We are working towards having a depot in every community," said Paquin.