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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - "Amnesty" and "landfill" aren't two words often used together. In Yellowknife, the dump is as polarizing an issue as any.

But next week marks the spring edition of amnesty week at the Yellowknife Solid Waste Management Facility, during which users are pardoned the $5 garbage drop-off fee.

Dump-goers will get their $5 user fees waived this week at the dump, but will still have to pay all regular tipping fees. - Lauren McKeon/NNSL photo

Amnesty week runs from May 16 to May 23.

The city runs three amnesty weeks per year, one each during the spring, summer and winter holiday season.

"Amnesty week was implemented in 2006 after we started the user-pay system to reduce hardship (on Yellowknifers who use the landfill)," said Bruce Underhay, manager of the solid waste management facility.

The user-pay system was launched July 1, 2006, following an increase in tipping fees the year before. The one-two punch is generally agreed - by both city officials and enviro-conscious Yellowknifers alike - to have caused a boost in illegal dumping.

Amnesty week was designed to combat that.

"It's programs like this that help curb illegal dumping," said Underhay.

"Why take the chance of dumping (stuff) in a ditch - and possibly getting fined - when you can do it for free in amnesty week," he added.

Underhay said between 1,500 and 1,600 vehicles pass through the landfill's gates during a typical amnesty week. Last May, the tally hit more than 2,100 vehicles during the fee-free week.

"That's a lot of people," said Underhay, adding landfill users usually double during amnesty week. "The program is very well-received."

Tipping fees and curbside garbage pick-up limits are not waived during the week, he added, explaining the program is geared more toward those doing some cleanup and to knock off a couple of extra bucks for items Yellowknifers need to drop off at the dump.

During the week Underhay sees a little bit of everything, from the after-products of yard-cleanup to the after-products of Christmas celebrations.

Underhay said the city has not seen a lot of illegal dumping so far this year.

Kevin Kennedy, city councillor and chair of the solid waste management advisory committee, agreed - but added that doesn't mean it's not happening.

"We haven't had a big problem with illegal dumping. But the truth is people were doing illegal dumping before the user-pay system," he said.

"It only takes one idiot, essentially, to disrupt things for everybody, unfortunately," Kennedy added.

Both Kennedy and Underhay stressed amnesty week isn't the only exciting thing happening with waste in the city, however. On May 23, the city will run a household hazardous waste drop-off site similar to the one it did last September. It's also working on a composting pilot project at the landfill and, of course, the new three-cell salvaging system.