LETTER

Denmark: from Incineration to Zero Waste

 

It seems Gatineau City Council (and the rest of Canada) are still in the 17th century with how to handle garbage. Their best idea so far is to pass the problem on to the public.

We and especially industry are the culprits here. However, we are paying elected officials to develop sustainable answers to garbage collection. Our present system is a dead issue that should no longer be considered. There is no cheap option. We can recycle at 100%. Other countries have succeeded. So why can’t we? It might be asking too much from all levels of government.

Denmark is a perfect example. Their motto is simply ‘garbage for cash’. Their  system works so well that they import  hundred of thousands of tonnes of garbage from the UK, Sweden and other parts of Europe and, best of all, get paid to take it. Isn’t that fantastic?

Are we still a colony that’s not too smart? A few years ago, I emailed ex-Councillor Bégin an article on how Denmark handled the garbage issue. His reply was it would be too costly to train the public.

 Really? Would it be that difficult to rid ourselves of three bins for one?

Jacques Cayer
Aylmer