After initially imposing a 1 year moratorium on the project, the controversial landfill site to be built north of Elmvale known as Site 41 has been permanently killed by Simcoe County Council. During the many public protests which drew widespread media coverage, Warden Tony Guergis vehemently supported the project maintaining that all environmental considerations and protocol had been adhered to. In the end, even the Warden conceded and voted with the majority ending the project claiming that the county "is a responsible level of government." Simcoe County will now have to develop a waste management strategy for the future that will include public input.
This is not a problem unique to Simcoe County. Municipalities across Canada face similar circumstances when it comes to handling waste. Piling up garbage and covering it with dirt is hardly a high tech solution. The green bin program for disposing of refuse that is compost able seems to be worthwhile initiative in reducing what has traditionally ended up in landfills. Much has been done with respect to the re-use and recycle aspects of "reduce, re-use and recycle." Where we seem to be lacking is with respect to the concept of "reduce." Too many products are in my opinion over-packaged. In addition, one only needs to review the weekly assortment of sale flyers or take a walk down any aisle of your favourite retailer to realize a wide variety of useless products that are simply not needed and or will not last that will inevitably end up in our landfills. Numerous studies suggest that we are going to witness a new generation coming forward that believes and will adhere to the concept that less is better. Smaller homes, smaller more fuel efficient cars, and in general just less "stuff" in their lives is a more desirable way to live that the excessive lifestyles lead by many people before them. Perhaps said generation will not just find and develop a more effective waste management strategy, they will in fact create less of it.
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