Trail Landfill Lifespan Dwindling

February 15, 2012

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary's landfill in Trail could close a lot sooner than anticipated, and at a greater cost.

A recent study concludes the Mckelvey Creek facility could reach capacity as soon as the year 2051 at a cost of $9 million if garbage is processed at its current rate.

But Trail city councillor Rick Georgetti, who attended the most recent RDKB Environmental Services Committee meeting, is encouraged by the early returns in a pilot project underway in Grand Forks where orrganics are seperated for composting and that's reducing the amount of garbage going into the landfill by 30-40%.

Georgetti believes better organic diversion options like kitchen scrap containers and backyard composting could help preserve the life of the local landfill.

The most recent figures are a stark contrast from a similar study conducted ten years ago which estimated the facility had a much longer lifespan, with an estimated closure date of 2077.