Hampstead Goes Green

"It's not easy being green, lamented" Kermit the Frog.  Not only is it not easy, it is also not cheap!  Since the demerger, we in Hampstead have been striving to improve our sustainability through various green efforts. We have come a long way from 2^nd worst in 2006.  We improved our uniform recycling program in 2008 by increasing the container size from 60 L to 240 L.  This will be followed this spring by a uniform garbage collection.  This past spring, we initiated a Green Collection, swapping our Friday garbage for an organic one.  We hope to be able to embark on a combined green (kitchen) and brown (grass and garden) waste collection in the spring of 2012.  This will enable us to control our costs and reduce our carbon footprint.

These environmental initiatives take time and, as I mentioned before, cost money.  Our 2010 waste management budget includes $277K for garbage and organic removal and disposal and $80K for recycling.  We add to that, dumping fees of $20.23/ ton and various other garbage penalties and it seems that pure waste is the new "sin tax".   By 2014, the Quebec government is expected to start levying penalties on municipalities that do not have green collections and other sustainable development plans.

On the positive side by switching to a continuous green waste pick up on Fridays; we have avoided the extra pick up charge we have incurred in the past 3 years due to our successful leaf collection.  By incorporating it into the current collection, we save approximately $3,000 for each town wide pick up.  We have also benefited this year as we have been able to raise our green waste tonnage to 104 tons as of November 1st.  Thereby ensuring us a greater waste diversion credit paid to us by the provincial government.  In 2009, we received approximately $52K.. 

Hampstead's Green Team, currently a mix of council members and staff, planned this year's inaugural Green Fest held October 3^rd.  We will be producing our first greenhouse (GHG) gas emissions inventory and an action plan to reduce them with the help of a provincial grant of  $53,303.   We are also investigating other green initiatives like electric cars, LED lighting,  paperless office and, of course, looking out for every grant opportunity. 

We are always looking for methods to improve our efficiency, lower our costs, and lessen our environmental impact. In short, Hampstead is striving to be a leader in municipal sustainability.  We encourage you to work with us and adopt a greener lifestyle.  As always, your suggestions and comments are most welcome and can be sent to begreen@hampstead.qc.ca.


Written by Councillor Bonnie Feigenbaum, Co-Chair of the Environment portfolio