Whistler lawmakers this week pledged their support for an initiative to fill the composting vacuum left by the impending closure of the Carney's Waste Services organic recycling facility in Squamish.
Responding to a letter from Owen Carney, owner of Carney's Waste Services, about the recent decision by the District of Squamish Council to order the closure of the three-year-old facility because of odours, members of Whistler Council on Monday (Aug. 21) said they think it's important that a solution be found.
For the past three years, the Carney's facility has handled biosolids from wastewater treatment plants in the corridor and food waste from Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton.
In his letter, Carney told Whistler Council that the company intends to curtail operations there on Sept. 1.
"I couldn't think of any single thing that could be a larger setback to our solid waste reduction efforts," Whistler councillor Eckhard Zeidler said.
"They've done a great job, but have been caught in a situation where there was too much odour for the location," councillor Tim Wake said of the Carney's facility.
"I would urge our corridor partners to step forward, and I think we should step forward to be part of the solution."I would think somewhere between Whistler and Squamish is where it should go."
councillor Bob Lorriman agreed, but Mayor Ken Melamed said it's still possible that a new facility could be sited next to the Squamish landfill in Brackendale. He said he would find that a suitable location as well.
Whistler Council resolved to meet with Carney to share information about the issue and start working toward a possible resolution. Zeidler said while he's aware that Carney might not be interested in pursuing the issue himself, it would be helpful to get his perspective.
