Opening/Chair: Lech was our Chair for today’s meeting.
Visitors/Guests: We didn’t have any visiting guests or Rotarians this week, aside from our speaker Darlyne Proctor.
Speaker: Darlyne Proctor is the Waste Reduction Manager for the Municipality of Colchester. She has worked for the Municipality since 1999 and previous to that worked in Solid Waste for the Region of Waterloo in Ontario. Darlyne is a graduate from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and hails from Antigonish County.
The Solid Waste Department is responsible for the processing of recyclables, organics, and garbage generated within Colchester County, at the Waste Management Facilities, located in Kemptown. The Waste Reduction Division of the County provides assistance and education to residents and businesses within Colchester County to achieve proper waste separation and diversion.
Prior to 1996, the Municipality used to dumps to deal with waste. In 1995 a balefill was built and dumps were closed.
What do they do now?
- Garbage, Recyclables, and Organics picked up curbside or by private haulers
- Paper and containers are kept in two separate blue bags.
- Garbage is kept in clear bags.
- Organics are kept in green bins.
The Solid Waste Department in Colchester has a contract with the Towns of Truro & Stewiacke (Total population of 51,000)
They also have recycling contracts with 12 other Municipalities:
• Pictou
• Antigonish
• Guysborough
• St. Marys
• Town of Windsor
• East Hants
Colchester Facilities Timeline:
1995: Balefill Facility
1995: Construction and Demolition Site
1996: Compost Facility
1996: Materials Recovery Facility
2012: Leachate Facility
2015: Compost Relocation
What does the Process Look like after garbage arrives in Kemptown?
- Garbage gets tipped and sorted
- Garbage gets baled- 1 bale= 1 metric tonne.
- Garbage is taken to the landfill cell and stacked
The landfill was originally designed to last 35 years but with positive practices and changes, the lifespan of the landfill has been extended to 70 years.
What about Compost?
Compost is tipped then goes through a shredder. It is rotated through bunkers where it needs to reach a temperature of 55 degrees for three consecutive days. It’s then moved to a second building with an aerated floor, before finally being sent to Quebec for screening and testing.
For all those who use a cell phone, the Colchester Waste Resource Management has a handy app you can download that makes sure you never miss your collection day, and always know where to put items. It also provides you with good information like when there’s special collection days, holiday pick-up changes, paper shredding events, and more.
Brian Matthews thanked our speaker.
Member Health: No Reports
Announcements and Reports:
- Bollywood Committee. Jane, Committee Chair thanked all those who helped make the event a success once again this year. The event brought in close to $20,000. Another report will be given once the expenses and budget are finalized.
- Christmas Index Mark Mason reminded everyone about the AGM happening on Tuesday, Oct 1 at Derek Higgins office (29 Inglis Place).
- Melissa will be returning as coordinator this year.
- Over the summer the program sent 50 children to summer camp.
- They had a great swim at Victoria Park, where 28 kids participated.
- Giant Tiger has made a donation of toys for this year.
President's Report: Lech reminded everyone of the Board Meeting happening Tuesday, Oct 1 at 7 pm at Paterson Law. (enter at the side door on Church St.) He also showed off the banner received from our friends who visited from Australia.
Happy Mug:
- Terry is happy to be heading to BC for two weeks to see family. She’s also happy with the wonderful support she’s received for her “mittens for Polio” fundraiser.
- Ted was happy to see a good friend gain Canadian Citizenship on the weekend.
- Jim Gould was happy that the friendship exchange went so well.
- Joanne was happy to attend a friend’s 50th birthday party that had an amazing race theme
50/50: Joanne had the winning number 1492 for a chance at $25…and she picked the joker! Congratulations.
Closing: Meeting Adjourned at 1:10 p.m.