TNDC News

Waste Management Recycling Comes to Dease Lake

Dease Lake residents and commercial businesses can now participate in waste management recycling as part of a pilot project being led by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) in cooperation with other government agencies.

Cardboard, paper, newspaper, magazines, plastic and metal food, cleaning and household containers are among the items that can be recycled at the Dease Lake landfill. Residents and businesses have been provided with special bins for recycled materials. They take their waste to the landfill as normal, but now deposit the recycled items in bins dedicated to paper, containers, tin, mixed paper and card board. The recyclables are then transported to the recycling depot in Smithers. Regular garbage is now deposited in a bin near the recycling sorting area, which is later transferred to the existing pit.

Dedicated recycling station at the Dease Lake landfill

As the recycling system gains momentum, it will increase recycling and composting opportunities in the community, reducing landfill volumes and environmental impacts. The program goal is to operate a waste management system that aligns with Regional District of Kitimat Stikine and provincial guidelines. Moving forward, the project team will be examining in more depth how commercial waste is managed.

Recycling bins provided to Dease Lake residents and businesses

The initiative was launched to improve the local region’s waste management system while supporting environmental sustainability and strengthening access recycling services. Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) funds the BC First Nations Solid Waste Program to enable communities to move to sustainable waste management systems. Working as a team, local community representatives with support from professional planners and engineers, develop solutions in cooperation with nearby communities, Regional Districts, service providers and product stewards. 

The project team held several community meetings in Dease Lake over the past two years to discuss the initiative. A mail out for the pilot project informing residents of the newly implemented landfill hours was sent in advance of the mid-March launch and an update was shared in April. 

The Tahltan Nation recently joined the program. TNDC is pleased to participate in this important program, which will help reduce our corporate environmental footprint. 

Sandi Griffiths, District Operations Manager for MoTI in the Bulkley-Stikine region, is leading the program and says it is off to a good start. “I am pleased with the progress we have made at the landfill so far and appreciate the efforts and cooperation shown by the members of the community. Several Mega-Bags have been sent to the Smithers Recycling Depot and they are impressed with the sorting and cleanliness of the items. Hats off to the community members for their diligence and cooperation.”