We can do better than energy-from-waste

0
110

MRC Pontiac Warden Jane Toller’s letter in the October 22 edition about the need to develop projects that will support the economic revitalization of the Pontiac
represents the kind of thinking we need in the region. Both the Municipality of Pontiac and MRC Pontiac need development to create jobs, stabilize our population and create the infrastructure needed for our social

MRC Pontiac Warden Jane Toller’s letter in the October 22 edition about the need to develop projects that will support the economic revitalization of the Pontiac
represents the kind of thinking we need in the region. Both the Municipality of Pontiac and MRC Pontiac need development to create jobs, stabilize our population and create the infrastructure needed for our social
well-being.  What type of projects will help achieve these goals? They need to be economically viable, help build our social fabric, and not harm the environment.
With good planning and community input, a pool is a great example of such a project, but the energy from waste idea needs to be reconsidered. It’s an old solution to waste management that has proven to have many issues and challenges.
First, the feedstock is municipal solid waste and controlling its quality is almost impossible, so you run the risk of exposing workers to hazardous substances and
emitting them from the plant. Secondly, you must keep feeding it waste, and in rural areas like the Pontiac, it will likely mean importing waste (and trucks that
bring it) from other communities. Third, the greenhouse gases from an energy-
from-waste facility will be higher than the low carbon energy we currently consume.
We need projects that help us move to a more circular economy where our wastes become raw materials for new products – already the case with paper, cardboard,
metals and certain plastics; an incinerator would undermine this work.
We should also be looking at converting waste into valuable materials like compost. Beyond municipal waste, there are proven and commercially viable technologies to convert agricultural waste and organic material into bio-materials and products that can be made into biodegradable products to replace single-use plastics.
I agree with Warden Toller that we need to revitalize, but respectfully suggest we do it with an eye to the future.

Kevin Brady
MUNICIPALITY OF PONTIAC