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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1992-02-19, Page 2fagi2 1 trues -Advocate, February 19, 1992 IN THF Bluewater annual meeting Government, industry clash over future of recycling By Adria Slane GRAND :B11, JD - It all appeared to be one happy -toady, sitting down at the same table to discuss the future of recycling, but it soon became apparent there was sdll some infighting between the Onta- rio Ministry of the Envimnmertt, OMMRI, the consortium of private industry, and the Bluewater Recy- cling Association. The meeting was the annual gath- ering of the Bluewater Recycling Association board of directors held at Oakwood Inn last Wednesday. Main issues of concern included the health of the Ontario Multi Ma- terials Recycling Incorporated •(©M MRI) and its etjppon of the Blue Box program, whether or not the provincial government is stall- ing environmental programs, and whether OMMRI was using recy- cling to boost profus through non- refillable containers. b John Russell, chairman of -Blue- water, introduced Bob Flemington, chairman of OMMRI, as being part of an organization that was one of the first partners in getting recy- clingrgoing in Ontario, and for be- ing a "very, very important" con- tributor to Bluewaterr's funding. Flemington described the -Blue- water 'Recycling Association as something just short of a miracle. "As you know, 40 municipalities agreeing on anything is virtually an impossibility," he said, and - then went on to describe the effects of the recession on the organization, saying that funds are down right now, making -it difficult to fund Feb. 17, 1992 capital explosions in recycling planta such as Bluewater. Flemington did ay that nnmmas of companies leaving OMMRI was false and the soft-drink indus- try, the newspaper industry, gro- cery distributors, and pecivagets re- main committed to the Organization's -teats. "I'd like to assure you no mem- bers have left OMMRI. OMMRI is healthy," stated Flemington, but then went on to say provincial gov- ernment policy has not been firm enough in its support of recycling and OMMRI is having difficulty at - meting new members. • "Industries need to know that if -they're -going-- issue...that'here is going to be the same kind of demand made on their coitipetitors, not only domestic, but those off shore," he said. Flemington also insisted that a televised report of blue box materi- als going to -landfills.due-to-a hack- - of markets for recyclable material was unfounded and "absolutely un- true" and a "downright lie". Flemington said not one pound of material has gone to Ontario land- fills, but he said the falsehood is readily accepted by blue box de- tractors. "For -whatever reason here in Canada, -we like a negative story," he said. Bob Breeze, representing the newly -treated waste reduction of- fice at the Ministry of the Environ- ment, said the province is not stall- ing on recycling programs, but has introduced several plans 'in recent Letter to Editor months, and has expaaded its bine boot subsidy preplan. Ho did say the province is creating new regula- tions to increase we of the bine box, expand recycling into the in- dustrWkommarcial sector, and a process to simplify approvals of re- cycling projects. "How will 'we finance these pro- grams into the future so they are .auitainabk?"-Severe 'arcked, and then said the the province is consid- ering a user pay system, tipping fees, and industrial subsidies, in- cluding OMMRI's. "We have to look at taxation as well." "We can afford to pull those containers out and sell them... . so we're doing it" When the floor was opened to questions from the member munici- �fatities it was altar if 81uewater has yet received the 5250,000 promised by OMMRI for the plant's last expansion. Bluewater coordinator Francis Veilleux said that no funds were yet forthcoming. Flemington conceded that OMMRI is two years behind on its financial commitments already. John Russell asked 'Breeze if the province could create a "bridge fi- nancing" program to ease the bur- den on Bluewater's members. Breeze said it wasn't likely given provincial fmancial restraints, but said he could carry the proposal back to the ministry. OMMRI was then accused by Apology to mayor Dear Sir: We, the members of the Exeter Police Association, would like to apologize to Mayor Shaw for any incon- venience our letter to the Times Advocate caused. George Robertson Exeter -Police Association Editor's tote: Last week's letter suggested Mayor Shaw was jump- ing to conclusions about the police contract. However, the Times - Advocate has learned Mat the Po- lice Association accidentally sent Shaw the wrong letter - a notice for contract negotiation. Woman killed :in highway collision. • EXETER `- Tynring `the past week, which involved a fatality. six traffic accidents were investi- Last Tuesday's high winds caused gated by the Exeter OPP, one of the early closure of South Huron Boy struck by car EXETER - -Town police report that an eight-year old boy was struck by a vehicle driven by Rich- ard Desjardine of Grand Bend on Gidley Street on Thursday as the boy was walking to school that Retirees homeless wafter Villa closes Continued from from page She said that the Cohens had large unpaid accounts at more than one local business. The home is the former residence of Dr. Carl Patterson and in No- vember of 1988 underwent a major renovation which saw the addition of five semi -private rooms. The two-storey building on the Main Street in Lucan had an ac- commodation capability of 32 full- time residents. In 1989 the Times -Advocate ran a story about the Villa which at that time charged the residents between 527.30 and S46 per day for accom- modations. The -article also reported that the Villa was owned by Milton Gra- ham who took over in 1987. The Villa had opened its doors for pay- ing guests in 1983. According to a repreaantative from the Ministry of Health, the Villa did not receive any financial assistance from cither that ministry or the Ministry of Community and Social Services. "Neither ministry provides load- ing to retirement homes mach as this one," said Bruce Skeaff. Irie said when a aura* lone.or a home for the aged goes into se- ceivarMhip, the ,tpinialry madly mates in and helps }doe reaidsats find new accommodations. . The primary diffloattoelaetvireeo Are tot She now awed WO Home Of Retirement the Vipa yed.a nursing keine is the,re ttWf members Marion WOW, MR; end Pauline anImPt alth earw provi40. Worrell. morning. The boy, who is not being identi- fied by police due to domestic cir- cumstances, suffered serious inju- ries, including a broken pelvis. No charges were laid. District High School, and as two fe- male students were driving home on Highway 83 near Dashwood, they struck broadside a compact car driven by Marie Hibbert, 38, of Grand Bend. Hibbert, an employee of Commu- nity Living South Huron, was killed in the accident, the students in the pickup truck received minor injuries and were treated at South Huron Hospital. Police say Hibbert apparently lost control of her vehicle, possibly in white-out conditions and no charg- es will be laid. tate 'member of u the $20 Mil- lion oothributedby the soft drink industry of saving S60 million for avoiding using returnable boats. Remington said this was common Witte misinformation spread by de - nectars of the soft-drink industry. It all sounds great and it sounds like a nice conspiracy...but it isn't true," he said, adding that consu- mers We turning away Intern refilla- ble bottles despite campaigns to promote them. Veilleux confirmed that despite deposits on refillables, local consu- mers aro still placing than in their blue boxes to avoid the inconven- ience of returning them. He said Bluewater collects _about S500 a week by separating and returning the bottles and cans. "We can afford to pull those con- tainers out and sell them...so we're doing it," told Veilleux. Flemington adid concede that orig- inal plants to see the recycling pro- gram self-sufficient have proved overly optimistic. He said industry will likely have to continue paying a subsidy to support operations like Bluewater. One member asked how Bluewa- ter is comparing with other recy- cling programs around the world and if it was falling behind. Russell said European delega- .tions.have visited the Grand Bend plant and have left impressed. Veilleux said Canadian are still "hogs for garbage", but Bluewater is providing advice to recyclers in Australia, the United States, and British Columbia. Breeze said Ontario's blue box system is still a world leader, and last year saved 400,000 tonnes from landfills, "a success that's known around the world". Flemington said a wet/dry separa- tion system for collected garbage may represent a future efficiency beyond the blue box, but such pro- grams are likely years away. Before the discussion session ended, Veilleux delivered a mes- sage to Breeie, saying that environ- ment minister Ruth Grier's plan to give the province more power over packaging materials was a little isguided. mVedbux said that whik the prov- ince will be making the mks, those decisions will have to be paid for at the local level, by organizations such as Bluewater. "She's not all the way there," said Veilleux, who also expressed mis- givings about the province's plan to assume orentral of togs. "Am I tight so drink theta. min- ister, two years tem now when To- ronto's landfill is NI_ will tray that we have to take [their garbagoj'1" asked Veilleux. Breese, however, said that sce- nario was not realistic, claiming that the Bill 143 provision is only intended for emergency situations. giving the ministry the power to Salve delle attagencies: Bales of cans sit ready for shipment at Bluewater's Recycling plant. Some are asking if and when the Blue Box program is going to become financially self-sufficient. CLOSING OUT Last week to Save FURTHER REDUCTIONS IN EFFECT! EXETER STORE ONLY All Patons Yarns N ° Price w Plus Patients & Accessories 1/2 price Selected Yarn 75% off Selected Giftware • Wail Plaques • Novelty Gifts • Glassware • Toys • Games 50- 75%Off All Paperback Books 20 % Off All Craft Supplies Now 75%off All • Hardcover Books • Chlldrens Books 1/30ff Final Day Wed. .Feb, 26,92 Don't miss this opportunity TO SAVE BIGill OP 436 MAIN STREET EXETER 4