Lane Cleroux reported on a three year pilot project for farm plastics, and intent for the township to participate.
He said the cost for the farmers was 900 dollars for shipping, but no other cost.
They also encouraged the farmers to make or purchase the equipment to bale the plastic.
The presentation included a video on how to compact and prepare the plastic for shipping, five minutes before the video’s two-hour mark.
“If I bale it and bring it to the landfill, how do you get it off the truck?” Councillor McLaughlin asked.
Lane Cleroux confirmed that they could use an excavator to move the bales, and Steven Hodson said that they would have to determine if they could use their current equipment to move it.
“We would need the Ministry’s approval to accept and stockpile it.” he said.
McLaughlin asked when they’d start taking it, to which the Mayor answered that it would start “when we get an agreement.”
He also suggested that the farmers could build the equipment themselves, to which Lane said there were instructions on the website.
Reeve Regier asked how much plastic came into the landfill on a weekly basis, and whether or not they could process the bales at the landfill.
Cleroux said that performing the procedure at the landfill “would entail the farmer bringing it. When it was full, it would take staff time to bale it. That’s why the staff are recommending that the farmer bale it.”
“It’s much better handled on the farm.” Steve Hodson said, saying that the process on-site is difficult and dirty.
“I like the initiative. I think we need to make a new strategy for it to be effective.” Councillor Nicholson said, mentioning that equipment.
Councillor Mackay approved of the initiative, saying many farmers burn the baling plastic, which presents many environmental troubles.
Nicholson also suggested putting a deposit on it or paying farmers to bring it.
“I can see the treasurer sweating.” he laughed.
“Dropping it off in bulk is not going to work.”
Councillor McLaughlin also said that they needed to “lobby the different agricultural organizations” in order to organize the initiative.
“We can tweak it, we can make it work.” he said. “But we have to get started.”
“If we don’t take a step moving towards doing something with this kind of project, no one else will.” Councillor Jackson said. “There is no one else doing as much with this as we are.”
“Whitewater has been the lead for lots of these kinds of things since amalgamation.” The Mayor said. “I’m not saying that’s a bad thing.”
The motion was passed.
