Energy from Waste - Treating the Symptom Instead of the Disease

Here we are in a new year and the first big story in London is about waste. To say I am pleased that Mr. Fontana is upset with Toronto's garbage being a blight on London's landscape, is an understatement. But in reality he should check his facts before pointing the finger to our neighbour down the 401.

London is not the most progressive when it comes to waste diversion. City council has been slow to embrace sound environmental practices - always making it an economic short term decision rather than the correct decision for future generations. Often council decisions fly in the face of ,or water down, recommendations made by the staff from the Environmental department. If Mr. Fontana really wants to be a leader, he needs to have a better understanding of the problem. I believe he can make a positive impact if he is willing to listen to the experts that are employed at City Hall.

The Mayor's current solution "energy from waste" is flawed. An energy from waste solution treats the symptom not the disease. This should be the last resort solution not the first option. Landfills are not the solution, incineration is not the solution.

The solution is threefold 1)elimination of waste pollution at source 2)having a green bin/composting program to divert useful rich compost and 3)reducing the four bag limit to one bag on household garbage to curb.

Providing energy from waste as the first option does nothing to encourage citizens to reduce waste generation at home, at work or at play. It allows them to continue business as usual. We are not in a time and age where business as usual is acceptable. Polluter needs to pay or change their ways. That includes product and packaging designers, retailers who sell wasteful products and citizens who purchase a product that ends up as waste. Those who care about the planet by diligently doing everything they can to save the non renewable limited resources should not be at the mercy of those who do so little.

Mr. Mayor and all London councillors, my advice to you is listen to the experts on your own staff, put aside short term economics and make the correct decision on behalf of future generations by making policy changes that outlaw non reusable or non recyclable materials, by instituting a green bin program while encouraging composting at home and by limiting the number of household garbage containers allowable to curb to one per garbage day pickup. If you do these things you will be on higher ground to challenge Toronto sending their waste to a local landfill. In addition future generations will thank you.