Prince George, B.C.- The Regional District of Fraser Fort Gelorge has started it's  review of  its plan to handle garbage.

This plan will  lay  down the ideas on how we will recycle, compost and dispose of  garbage for the next 10 - 20 years.

The current plan was  developed in 1997.  Since then, the RDFFG has closed 19 landfills and replaced them with transfer stations. The majority of the waste is now disposed at the Foothills Boulevard Regional Landfill, with a small portion still being taken to four remaining smaller landfills. Recycling levels have increased to roughly 28%.

“With a strong construction industry and continued economic growth, the need to manage and protect our landfill space is more important than ever. It’s now time to review our solid waste management system and assess options that will ensure that this Regional District remains environmentally and economically sustainable,” says Petra

Wildauer, General Manager of Environmental Services with the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George The Regional District has hired an environmental consulting firm, Gartner Lee Limited, as their consultant to facilitate the plan review process. Gartner Lee will first look at the programs implemented to date and the impact these programs have had on the solid waste stream.

The next step involves the development of options for future waste reduction and management.

To assist with developing the Plan, the Regional District wants to hear from the community about how to tackle issues such as increasing recycling, increasing composting, and reducing illegal dumping.

For the first phase of the review, the public are invited to participate in an on-line survey about recycling and waste management in the community.

The survey is available on-line at www.rdffg.bc.ca until March 18. As an added incentive, everyone completing the online survey will be entered into a draw to win a backyard composter.

The planning process is anticipated to occur over the next 4 to 6 months.