Yellowknife (Aug 23/06) - Yellowknife is looking to ban cardboard from its landfill after a report on recycling was presented to the the city's municipal services committee, Monday.

"We do have to have the carrot and stick (and) the stick is a prohibition on cardboard in the landfill by 2008," said Coun. Kevin O'Reilly.

His comments came after the head of Yellowknife's public works division, Greg Kehoe, spoke on future recycling options for the city. Cardboard from businesses was still the largest item threatening landfill capacity.

Yellowknife is considering the introduction of curbside recycling for residents, businesses and multi-family units.

"We want to encourage businesses to either separate or deal with cardboard themselves," said Bruce Underhay, solid waste manager for the city. The current landfill is expected to be full by 2009 or 2010, he added.

"Any municipality that has done a study has shown that 30 to 40 per cent of its solid waste is cardboard and in Yellowknife it's probably more (as) some of the box stores' garbage is 80 to 90 per cent cardboard."

Underhay did note that Yellowknife has yet to do a study but he has recommended it be done.

Since Jan. 1 2006, when disposal fees at the landfill were increased, residential waste has dropped by 21 per cent, while commercial and multi-family unit garbage declined only three per cent.

All councillors who spoke on the issue at the meeting were in favour of curbside recycling. However, based on waste statistics, councillors did not want to focus on houses alone. "I would suggest efforts be concentrated on reducing, reusing and recycling at (multi-family units) and commercial interests," said Coun. Wendy Bisaro.

Coun. Doug Witty took the idea a step further.

"Can we take that cardboard and use it to generate heat?" he asked. "As much as curbside (garbage) reduction looks good, we need to look at what will give us immediate results."

Currently, residents can take recyclable containers to the bottle depot on Old Airport Road. Other items can be taken to fixed depot operated by the city and located at the dump, Co-op, Ruth Inch Memorial Pool, Old Town and 52nd Street.

According to estimates, curbside recycling would increase monthly garbage fees by $6. In the 2006 city survey, 52 per cent of residents said they would support this increase.