This pilot project for maximizing waste diversion involves approximately 20,000 people in the Humbolt/Watson area of Saskatchewan. REACT is led by Dan Swerhone, a resourceful CEO who managed the district's shift from a dependency on 26 landfills down to 2.
Dan's approach:
React's User Pay system makes garbage collection and disposal a utility. Any recyclable product can be put into the system at no charge; only waste going to disposal has a charge placed on it. The more you waste, the more you pay. Dan indicated that the user pay aspect really encourages people to use the recycling system. Exactly how does it work?
Residents conveniently purchase tags from local businesses, in sheets of 5 for $5.00, or 100 for $90.00. Each 77 litre garbage bag or can must have a tag attached on garbage day or there is no pick-up, and there are no exceptions according to Dan.
Businesses can rent 6 cubic yard bins with lids and locks. They are only charged for the amount of service they receive. Separate bins are provided for cardboard; the tipping fees for these are substantially less. Residents and businesses can see first hand the correlation between cost and control; it's in their hands to decide.
Dan is very proud of the results that REACT has generated, a 60% reduction in waste going to landfill. "Your waste management philosophy allows you to have a goal of where your system is going. Remember you are building something new, so take the time to develop a philosophy and a plan...This is the system we have set up. We think it fit our area the best. We welcome anyone from any community to come and see what we have."
Glass Works is a publication of Consumers Glass
Copyright © 1998 Glass Works