ABOUT
WASTE CHECK
Our goal is to motivate everyone in the Western Region in Digby and Yarmouth Counties to reduce waste for a healthy environment.
MISSION & HISTORY
In 1995 Nova Scotia became a World Leader is waste management by adopting the Solid Waste-Resource Management Strategy. This strategy includes a disposal ban on items that can be diverted from the landfill and made into valuable resources.
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When the strategy was adopted the province was split into seven different regions to make managing solid waste easier. The western region, Region 7 has a population of approximately 43,000 and includes 22,000 households. Waste Check formed an Authority made up of two municipal representatives from each of the six municipal units it represents. This Authority is named Waste Check and includes the following Municipal units: Municipality of Argyle, Municipality of Clare, Municipality of Digby, Town of Digby, Municipality of Yarmouth, and Town of Yarmouth.
OVERVIEW
Everyone, including all residents and businesses in our region, and the Province is required by law to sort their waste into proper streams. In Region 7, there is a curbside collection for recyclables, organics and garbage. The curbside collection is provided through contracted haulers by each of the Municipal units.
Recyclables are collected in blue bags through a 2-bag system which means papers go in blue bag #1 and plastics and containers go in blue bag #2. Recyclables from Yarmouth and Digby Counties are transported to Scotia Recycling where they are sorted, processed and shipped out to markets to be recycled into useful items.
Organics are collected bi-weekly using a green cart at the curb in each municipal unit. There are two cart sizes available 65 gallon and 35 gallon. Only paper liners are accepted in the green cart. Organics are transported from our region to the Compost Plant in Yarmouth where it is processed on-site into valuable compost.
Garbage is collected bi-weekly in clear bags. Garbage is taken to the three transfer stations in our Region which are located in Yarmouth, Clare and Digby. The garbage is then loaded into tractor trailers and shipped to a second-generation landfill in the Region of Queens Municipality. One of the main reasons for switching to clear bags for garbage in April 2007 was so that we could reduce the amount of garbage being shipped to Queens. We are under contract agreements that require us to exercise due diligence in the removal of banned materials from the garbage. Having garbage in clear bags gives us a safe and quick way to see what is arriving at the transfer stations or placed at the curb for collection.
Waste Check is responsible for offering its services to help residents/business owners understand and carry out the terms of the Solid Waste-Resource Management Strategy. Waste Check has devoted staff that make visits to homes, schools, businesses and institutions free of charge. Waste Check offers many programs to assist everyone in reducing waste for a healthier environment. Please continue to explore our website for more information on the services and programs provided to Region 7 by Waste Check.
MANAGEMENT
AUTHORITY
The Western Region Solid Waste-Resource Management Authority develops and approves policy, budgets and programs for the operations of Waste Check. The Authority consists of two representatives for each of the six Municipal units of Yarmouth and Digby Counties (Region 7) as listed below:
Municipality of Argyle
P.O. Box 10, Tusket, N.S. B0W 3M0
Tel #: 648-2311 / Public Works 648-2623
Fax #: 648-0367
Civic Address: 5 J.E Hatfield Court, Tusket
Authority Member: Councillor Guy Surette
Authority Member: Councillor Ted Saulnier
Alternate: Warden Danny Muise
CAO - Alain Muise
Municipality of Digby
P.O. Box 429, Digby, N.S. B0V 1A0
Tel #: 245-4777 / Fax #: 245-5748
Civic Address: 12548 Hwy#217
Authority Member: Warden Linda Gregory
Authority Member: Councillor Angela Thurber
CAO - Jeff Sunderland
Town of Digby
P.O. Box 579, Digby, N.S. B0V 1A0
Tel #: 245-4769 / Fax #: 245-2121
Civic Address: 183 Third Ave.
Authority Member: Mayor Ben Cleveland
Authority Member: Deputy Mayor Bike Bartlett
CAO - Tom Ossinger
Municipality of Clare
P.O. Box 458, Little Brook, NS B0W 1Z0
Tel #: 769-2031 / Fax #: 769-3773
Civic Address: 1185 Hwy#1
Authority Member: Councillor Nadine Comeau
Authority Member: Councillor Carl Deveau
CAO - Stephané Cyr
Municipality of Yarmouth
P.O. Box 21, Hebron, NS, B0W 1X0
Tel #: 742-7159 / Fax #: 742-3164
Civic Address: 932 Hwy #1
Authority Member: Councillor Loren Cushing
Authority Member: Councillor Sheri Hurlburt
CAO - Victoria Brooks
Town of Yarmouth
400 Main Street, Yarmouth, N.S. B5A 1G2
Tel #: 742-2521 / 742-3171
Fax #: 742-6244
Civic Address: 400 Main Street
Authority Member: Councillor Heather Hatfield
Authority Member: Councillor Gil Dares
CAO - Jeff Gushue