IQALUIT - The city is asking Iqalummiut how they think garbage should be sorted and disposed of as they prepare their solid waste management plan because the current landfill is already at capacity.

Iqaluit resident Linda Gunn holds up a recycling bin she uses that was distributed under the Government of the Northwest Territories. She attended an open house by the City of Iqaluit on April 13 on how they are going to develop their solid waste management plan. - Emily Ridlington/NNSL photo

"Divert as much solid waste as we can so we're not leaving a legacy of hazardous and useless waste as well as an eyesore," said Linda Gunn, at the first of three open houses to collect citizens' thoughts and feedback on how the city is going to develop their solid waste management plan on April 13.

About 10 residents of the city were among the approximately 30 people in attendance, most of whom were city staff, councillors and staff from both the federal and territorial governments.

Following the fire that raged in the dump this past fall and the cancellation of a Government of Nunavut recycling project this past December, the issue of waste disposal in Iqaluit has become more pressing.

The city is asking residents to help them determine the goals, objectives, criteria and potential new sites for a new dump. Included in this plan is to how to decommission the existing dump.

"We are just trying to identify all the possible options such as recycling, composting or landfill incineration," said Meaghan Leach, the city's director of engineering and sustainability.

When asked if the city has a preferred option going into the consultations, she said it is approaching the project with an open mind.

"There's no preconceived end," Leach said.

As for where the funding will come from, that is part of what needs to be figured out.

Leach said by the fall, the city plans to have an idea of what will be done with the old dump.

Susan Enuaraq, like many other residents, pitches tents near the landfill site as it is near prime fishing areas. She said she wants to know whether a lot of species are dying off because of the run-off from the dump.

Her comments were echoed by Jaco Shaimaiyuk.

"Those of us who are hunters live on what comes off the land and from the sea and we don't want any dump or waste there," he said.

When planning for the future, Shaimaiyuk said close attention has to be paid to the location of the new dump.

"I want to see a dump inland where we can't see it," said Sammy Josephie.

He said since the government came to Iqaluit in the late 1940s, there is plenty of garbage that is now buried covered by dirt and sand. This means, he said, there is a lot of contaminated soil.

Former city councillor Jim Little said the only place he sees for a new landfill is the old North 40 sandpit.

He agreed with Gunn on the unsightly appearance of the current dump.

"It's one of the ugliest areas in town and we've made it that way," he said.

Gunn said she is frustrated the city is putting money into public consultations when city staff could look at reports commissioned by past councils.

"It angers me as a taxpayer I have to see a process like this once again," she said.

Little and Gunn both suggested the city look at recycling cardboard.

Gunn's idea was the GN should negotiate a cheap backhaul rate for recyclables while Little thought companies like NorthMart who dispose of a lot of cardboard and have their own balers should be made to ship their cardboard back down south.

The city plans to have the next community open house in June. It will also be distributing a newsletter to keep the public informed about its progress.

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