Comox Strathcona Waste Management seeks feedback on managing the decade

The Comox Strathcona Waste Management service is asking for public feedback to help better manage garbage, recycling, food and other waste over the next decade.

The service manages over 100,000 tonnes of waste and recycled material annually and oversees diversion and education programs for the Comox Valley and Strathcona Regional Districts.

Over the past year, community members, staff and experts have developed eight strategies and 33 actions as part of the renewal of the Solid Waste Management Plan. The update is required by the province every 10 years to reflect the changing needs of communities. The current plan was created in 2012 and needs to be renewed.

The plan is now in Step 3 of a four-step process – where residents in communities from Zeballos across to Cortes Island and down to Fanny Bay will help decide how the region meets its waste reduction needs.

The eight shortlisted strategies and 33 actions are based on feedback from different communities, as well as cost to taxpayers, environmental impact, ability to divert waste, impact on operations, and community benefit.

Feedback will help shape the draft plan, which will be shared with the Regional Solid Waste Advisory Committee, the Comox Strathcona Waste Management Board and the public before it’s finalized and submitted to the province next year.

Public feedback is open to October 16 at engagecomoxvalley.ca/swmp  

There will also be several open houses or community events in the coming weeks - including at the Black Creek Fair on Saturday, in Comox September 20 and 21, Cumberland on September 22, and at the Campbell River Home Show on September 26. You’ll find the full list at the raven dot fm later this morning to learn more and share your ideas:

Open Houses & Community Events:

Saturday, Sept. 6, Black Creek Fall Fair, 10 am – 4 pm

Sunday, Sept. 7, Quadra Island Harvest Happenings, 10 am – 3 pm

Saturday, Sept 13, Denman Island Farmers Market, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

Sunday, Sept. 14, Hornby Island Fall Fair, 11 am – 3 pm

Thursday, Sept. 18, Union Bay Community Hall (Open House), 4 pm – 7 pm

Friday, Sept. 19, Cortes Island Farmers Market, 12 pm – 3 pm

Saturday, Sept. 20, Comox Mall, 10 am – 2 pm

Sunday, Sept. 21, Comox Community Centre, 10 am – 2 pm

Monday, Sept. 22, Cumberland Masonic Hall (Open House), 4 pm – 7 pm

Friday, Sept. 26, Campbell River Home Show, 1 pm - 6 pm

Saturday, Sept. 27, Campbell River Home Show, 9:30 am –5:30 pm

Sunday, Sept. 28, CR Compost Facility (Open House), 11 am - 2 pm

Thursday, Oct. 2, CVRD Electoral Area Open House, 5 pm – 7 pm

Friday, Oct. 3, Zeballos Recycling Depot, 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Saturday, Oct. 4, Sayward Farmer’s Market, 10 am – 1 pm

Saturday, Oct. 4, CV Waste Management Centre (Open House), 10 am –2 pm

Tuesday, Oct. 7, Discovery Foods, Oyster River, 3 pm – 6 pm

Thursday, Oct. 9, Tahsis Recycling Depot, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Friday, Oct. 10, Gold River Transfer Station, 9 am – 12 pm

Wednesday, Oct. 15, Driftwood Mall, 10 am – 2 pm