Site map

Sustainability Action Areas

Currently we have sustainability activities underway in the following areas: agricultural land and food security, community resiliency and well-being, emergency response and community preparedness, energy, health care, housing and multi-level seniors care, sustainable economics: community currency, transportation priorities and actions, and water. To see what each group is up to click on the individual topic.

Waste Management

October 27, 2009

The following is a summary of the discussion held at the October 24th Sustainable Gabriola Community Forum. There are many groups and individuals on the island contributing to this topic area and we would like to acknowledge that work. Please feel free to email us specific actions that have been accomplished and those that are underway and we will post them on the site. It is hoped that the following points from our October 24th discussion will build on the work that has been done.

Convenor

Partipants

Pat Maloney, Linnet Kartar, Judy Storness-Kress, Lisa Webster Gibson, Judith Roue, Tom Cameron

Emerging Priorities

  • Construction waste separated at source
  • Capture more recycling and reuse rather than landfill
  • Expand “swap” opportunities (like GIRO)
  • Reduce individual burn barrels
  • Develop financially viable businesses that can use local recycled materials

What are the long term objectives related to this topic?

  • Recycled materials are market driven
  • Compostables – leave on the island and have variety of pick up or drop off areas such as individual (provide compost equipment), neighbourhood pick up, drop off at commons
  • Convertables – dead wood for bio diesel
  • Combustables – waste wood for free fire wood
  • Non recyclables – have to go to landfill
  • Re Usable – GIRO, Commons (cooking oil for bio diesel)
  • Loans for landlords exist for them to upgrade suites
  • Need to understand the employment opportunities on the island and the wages
  • Need multi generational housing – don’t create age slums

What are the short and medium term actions needed to achieve the objectives?

  • Policy on Composting locally for the Island (get info from RDN on current capture)
  • Recognize the importance of GIRO (work to expand or provide more support)
  • Work with local haulers to develop a “large item pick up day”
  • Investigate “Communal” chipper (and use for bio fuel)
  • Organize regular beach clean up
  • Education programs

How will we know we have been successful?

  • When our capture of recyclables, re useable is 80%
  • When we have a sustainable solution for the island (80% reduction in waste leaving the island)

What organizations and individuals need to be involved?

  • GIRO
  • The Commons
  • Transportation committee
  • Everyone