Traboulsee, Anne L.; "An Evaluation of the City of Fredericton Blue Box Recycling Program: Implications for the Future and Viability as a Model for Other Areas"

Waste management planning is no longer a luxury but rather a necessity for every region and community in the Country. During the past decade, waste management has re-emerged as a major concern of communities, political leaders and individuals. Dwindling resources, landfill sites filling to capacity faster than we can site new ones, higher tipping fees, political and public battles over site locations, and an increased awareness of the harmful effects of solid waste toward the environment have contributed to the increased interest in recycling in North America.

The Blue Box Curbside Recycling Program initiated by the City of Fredericton in 1989, is an example of a pro-active community effort to take responsibility for and control of community solid waste.

A review of past and present issues and problems in municipal solid waste management provided the background framework necessary to do a more in depth analysis of the City of Fredericton Blue Box Recycling Program. Despite the apparent "success" of programs such as this one, a case is often made against recycling because of "additional costs" to a community (above regular garbage collection) to maintain recycling programs.

A key area which has not been adequately addressed is the expense involved in regular solid waste management (garbage collection and disposal at a landfill). When studying cost comparisons between regular garbage collection services and collection services which include recycling, it is found that all of the "costs" of regular garbage collection are not being factored in (for example, front end costs which include planning, public involvement, site selection, engineering, etc.; closure costs and long term maintenance; and environmental costs). Nor has there been an adequate or universally accepted method to assess quantitatively, the economic benefits of including recycling as a component of a comprehensive solid waste management plan.

Programs which support reductions in the amount of garbage required to be disposed of should be investigated and included in comprehensive solid waste management plans. Planners have an important role to play in this era of It sustainability". Their role as organizers, facilitators and managers in the preparation of community solid waste management plans must be encouraged and recognized.

Atlantic Planners Institute

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This document was last modified on January 23, 2001.