The Solid Waste Strategy Committee achieved many significant accomplishments in 1999 as the Region continued to implement its Solid Waste Management Strategy.
With the impending close of the Keele Valley Landfill Site (early 2002) and a 50 per cent disposal/diversion target, the Committee continued its efforts to plan for the future disposal of solid waste. The long-term strategy of York Region is to keep more garbage out of the landfill site by increasing diversion efforts, such as recycling and composting.
Solid Waste Processing & Transfer Facility
A key component in the Solid Waste Management Strategy is the development of a Solid Waste Processing and Transfer Facility (SWPTF). This facility will serve as a "clearing house" for solid waste – recyclable materials would be processed, compost would be created and the remaining garbage would be readied for final disposal.
There was significant progress made in 1999 regarding the Request For Proposals (RFP) for the SWPTF. The Request For Proposals will be based on the private sector designing, constructing and operating the facility on an initial 10-year term.
To facilitate the process and increase competition to the proposal, the Region selected a possible site in the Town of East Gwillimbury for the processing facility. Other sites that are privately owned may be proposed by the private sector.
Keeping the Options Open
To ensure the very best solution is found for garbage disposal after the closing of the Keele Valley Landfill Site, the Committee continued its "dual track" approach of finding another disposal facility.
The Region approved a Memorandum of Under-standing with the City of Toronto to explore what prices the market would bear if York Region joined Toronto and possibly other GTA Regions regarding their solid waste disposal needs. Toronto issued a Request For Proposals for a GTA-wide solution which closed in late 1999.
At the same time, York Region conducted its own search to determine the most cost effective and suitable method. A Request For Proposals for the disposal of "York Only" garbage also closed in 1999.
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