Deborah Powell
MRC PONTIAC – Public consultations are coming up March 14 at the R.A. Centre in Campbell’s
Bay and March 22 at Harrington Community Hall in L’Isle-aux-Allumettes concerning the revised MRC Pontiac Residual Waste Management Plan (RWMP). Both meetings are scheduled for 7 pm and everyone is invited to express their views on the plan.
Deborah Powell
MRC PONTIAC – Public consultations are coming up March 14 at the R.A. Centre in Campbell’s
Bay and March 22 at Harrington Community Hall in L’Isle-aux-Allumettes concerning the revised MRC Pontiac Residual Waste Management Plan (RWMP). Both meetings are scheduled for 7 pm and everyone is invited to express their views on the plan.
According to the provisional budget, the total annual price tag for the
plan would be around $1,678,590, for an average cost of $335 per household.
Quebec’s Environment Quality Act requires that plans be updated every five years and the current revision is the result of work done by a committee of mayors, and the MRC Environment Coordinator. “The Residual Waste Management Plan 2016-2020 continues the work of the previous plan with the goal of improving waste management in the MRC Pontiac,” explained
Thierry Raimbault, interim Environment Coordinator. “The biggest challenge for the Pontiac and for the province as a whole is to reduce what goes to the landfill. Over half (57%) of what goes to landfills is organic material that could be composted or be used for energy production where facilities exist. The 20% of recyclable materials currently going to landfills also needs to be redirected. So there is a lot of room for improvement!” he added.
The action plan contained in the RWMP includes exploring the possibility of recycling oversize tires, agricultural plastics and electronic waste as well as examining the feasibility of a regional ecocentre to collect those materials along with organic and recyclable materials and hazardous waste.
Developing a clear profile of the septic sludge situation, and verifying conformity of septic tanks and the frequency of emptying them is also part of the action plan.
“Proper waste management is everyone’s business – in the house, in the garden, on the farm and other workplaces and in the great outdoors. I’m convinced that through the efforts of the municipalities, the MRC and all Pontiac residents, we
can move this beautiful region forward on the path of sustainable development and environmental protection,” said Raimbault.
A bilingual summary of the plan is available for consultation at all municipal offices along with the complete plan (French only). These documents may also be accessed on the MRC website.
