By: Nicole Allen, Sarah Kingston, Kate Roper and Anand Srivastava
In evaluating the sustainability of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve (FABR), this report has investigated the current waste management practices within the region and has subsequently identified opportunities for improvement within the biosphere. Looking at only municipal solid waste (MSW), the report quantified all landfills located within the biosphere and examined what materials were accepted at each site. Furthermore, South Frontenac Township (SFT) and the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands (TLTI) were investigated in detail with regards to their landfill practices, waste technologies and strategic waste management plans. Using an attribute table and ArcGIS 10 mapping, the study found that while most landfills accepted MSW and separated basic recyclable materials, there was little to no organic waste diversion across the FABR. Within the two townships of interest, waste management strategies highlighted important differences such as the implementation of curbside waste pickup, the ability to invest money in to one or more landfills and future plans for organic waste diversion. The predominant theme facing rural communities
in the FABR is the challenge to implement new technologies while maintaining financial responsibility totheir residents. The second portion of the study focused on two opportunities for townships within the FABR to improve their waste management practices. Firstly, this study’s creation of an attribute table and several ArcGIS 10 maps was the first true consolidation of landfill information for the FABR. As a result, it could be distributed and studied by townships to gain a better understanding of their region’s waste management practices in hopes that it would spur positive improvements within each township. Secondly, waste diversion was investigated to minimize the amount of waste entering landfills within the region. At the source, the education of residents about proper waste management practices was identified as being critical to sustainable waste disposal. After waste collection, the study identified the region’s lack of organic waste diversion and showed that with the proper funding and inter-township support, a biogas facility could be set up to not only dispose of organic waste but also provide electricity for the region.
FULL REPORT: Waste Management – 2011
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