The Nanaimo recycling exchange has now found itself on the verge of closing if they don't get more money from the city taxpayer. The composting plant at Duke Point also came to the taxpayer with a 'pay up or else' proposal a month or so ago which saw them collect another $300,000 from the taxpayer to keep the plant open. Whether that actually solves the problem or just kicks it down the road, remains to be seen.
One of the reasons NRE says they are short of needed funds is because they recycle several items that are not profitable to handle. This begs the question of why? An example given is the cost of handling hazardous material, batteries etc. etc. When was the last time you bought something that didn't have a recycling 'fee' attached after PST and GST etc.? Why does the NRE have to subsidize their recycling efforts of these products when the government is collecting mountains of cash said to be for this purpose?
Go To Referendum
The NRE is looking for nearly $2 million to fund a new plant on the lot they now own beside their present location. If the Nanaimo taxpayer is being asked to foot that bill it should be financed over the long term as future users will benefit and should also help pay for it. We have an election coming up this fall, so add the $2 million borrowing question as a referendum and let the taxpayer decide if they think we should be paying over and over again to have things recycled.
I cannot imagine why the NRE thought it appropriate to purchase a lot next door to their present location if they couldn't afford it in the first place. The City really needs to start setting priorities. Governments were instituted to deal with "essential" issues, such as water, sewers, roads, infrastructure, not culture, arts, recreation or recycling. If a private company can't make a profit, then it shouldn't be in the business.
ReplyDeleteThe NRE is a non-profit Charitable society, not a private company. It is owned by its members, and membership is open to anyone. The NRE was established when there was no recycling depots in Nanaimo, and they have continued operations for 25 years building up the alternatives to landfill. Recycling is now an essential part of the RDN Solid Waste Management Plan, and the operations of the NRE are much cheaper than if the Regional District were to take on the function for itself.
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