With its service area growing by 13 per cent and a provincial recommendation that solid waste management plans be updated every 10 years, Comox Stathcona Waste Management (CSWM) is in the process of renewing its plan.

It's now at the stage where it needs the public to share their input on the long-term vision of solid waste management for the region.

A multi-year planning process will outline how garbage, recycling, yard, and food waste programs are managed over the next decade. The CSWM is currently in Step 3 of the four-step process and public consultation is integral in each Step.    

Solid Waste Management Plans should be renewed every ten years to ensure the plan reflects best practices, the evolving realities of solid waste and alignment with provincial targets. The last CSWM plan was updated in 2012. Meanwhile, the CSWM service area population has grown 13 per cent during that time and is forecast to continue to grow.

鈥淎s our communities change, we must ensure we adapt how we manage our solid waste,鈥� said Vivian Schau, Senior Manager of Comox Strathcona Waste Management Services. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important that we hear what rural residents and businesses would like to see in the future to ensure that the renewed Plan reflects the access and convenience levels necessary to support diversion efforts and our overall goals. A sustainable future requires that we find new and innovative ways to reduce waste, extending the life of our landfills and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions鈥�

Over the next three months, CSWM is seeking to engage with sectors and interested parties in identified areas of interest where there could be great improvements in waste diversion. Rural residents and business owners are asked to discuss potential strategies, and to bring additional strategies forward to achieve the goals and guiding principals that were supported during the Step 2 process. The developed plan will guide how solid waste is managed in the region over the next ten years.

Step 3 consultation will be a two-part process that will see initial outreach during the summer and will continue with broad public engagement on the preferred options and strategies in 2025.

Ways to Weigh In On Waste:

• Join the conversation and provide your input through our . Feedback will be collected until 4 pm Wednesday, September 25, 2024.
• Drop-in to one of the Open House Events this July from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Fanny Bay Community Hall
    7793 Island Hwy S, Fanny Bay 鈥� July 16, 2024
  • Union Bay Community Hall
    5401 Island Hwy S, Union Bay - July 17, 2024
  • Huband Park Elementary School
    5120 Mottishaw Rd, Courtenay 鈥� July 18, 2024
  • Ocean Resort Hotel and Event Centre
    4384 S Island Hwy, Campbell River 鈥� July 23, 2024
  • Black Creek Community Hall
    2001 Black Creek Rd, Black Creek 鈥� July 25, 2024
• Attend a Community Event Over the Summer
  • Quadra Island 鈥� Aroma Cove Caf茅 鈥� 657 Harper Road
    July 19, 2024, 2 pm to 5 pm
  • Cortes Island Waste Management Centre 
    1300 Squirrel Cove Road, Cortes Island
    July 21, 2024, 9 am to 11 am

A detailed What We Heard Summary Engagement Report will be presented to the Regional Solid Waste Advisory Committee and CSWM Board at the end of the year, which will inform the options for consideration as the planning process continues.

Learn more information about the solid waste management planning process and Weigh In On Waste: