Today’s letters: Modern ‘waste-to-energy’ technology helps the climate

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Waste-to-energy can work well

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Re: Letter, Waste-to-energy won’t work well, May 13.

The criticism of Randall Denley’s suggestion that waste-to-energy may be part of our solid-waste solution is well intended but reflects perceptions based on the technology of the ’50s and ’60s. While Canadian cities dithered, Europeans advanced the technology, adopted architecture that the public could be proud of, greatly reduced landfill requirements and used the energy to make electricity and heat. With these advances, facilities are now located close to urban centres, providing heating for cities, displacing fossil fuels and making significant reductions in GHGs.

Leading environmentally conscious cities such as Copenhagen, Stockholm and Vienna all adopted waste-to-energy facilities and are justly proud of what they have achieved. Copenhagen uses its “Copenhill” facility as an urban ski hill and Vienna’s Spittelau facility is an architectural  masterpiece, drawing people from all over the world. They have been operating for a long time, some for decades, and continue to generate benefits for society.

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We have a choice. Stop wasting energy in our municipalities and deal with the climate crisis, or continue hoping that after many years of 3Rs and landfill, we will suddenly turn things around. As Mark Carney recently said, “Once society has set a goal, it is profitable to be part of the solution and terminal to remain part of the problem.”

Let’s set a goal and be part of the solution. More dithering won’t help.

Michael Wiggin, Ottawa

Identify a new landfill site

Ottawa Council recently voted to explore incineration technologies as a solution to the rapidly filling Trail Road landfill. It is also mulling whether to adopt a bag tag system to encourage residents to reduce waste. Bag tags are a short-term Band-Aid. In addition, it is prudent to explore incineration technologies, although cautiously, with an eye to identifying emerging ways of capturing and scrubbing toxins so that they are not released.

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What is missing in developing options to address Ottawa’s waste management is to also search for and identify a
location for Ottawa’s next landfill. This challenge is significant, and may require a dedicated a task force. If council continues to avoid dealing with it, the risk is
that the option itself may expire.

If safe incineration technology does not emerge in a timely way, and the city has not laid the groundwork for a future landfill, residents will be cornered into adopting a waste solution that may harm our health.

Exploring new landfill options is an essential pillar to the city’s 2024 Solid Waste Master Plan.  All it takes is for one councillor to make a motion, and council to direct that this important work be started now.

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Carrie Zatychec, Nepean

Bad-behaviour bill goes too far

Re: Mayor, city council urging province to back bill, May 27.

There is certainly an argument for removing misbehaving councillors for bad behaviour. But blocking them from running for re-election for two terms is arbitrary and a step too far. The voters can decide if the penalty is sufficient and when it’s time to reboot. If the bad behaviour continues into another term, remove them again.

Robin Collins, Ottawa