As things currently stand, the waste transfer station in Elmira is scheduled to close for good March 31.
The station – along with its rural counterparts in Ayr, Wilmot and Crosshill – was slated for closure last year, only to be given a temporary reprieve after local residents and politicians spoke out against the plans.
With that year just about up, efforts to preserve the drop-off site are once again underway.
Woolwich Township may not own or run the landfill, but it has petitioned the region – which declared the facility redundant in 2009 – to keep the site running.
“We heard loud and clear … that the residents seem to really want to keep the Elmira transfer station open. They appreciate the service (and) seem to be prepared to pay a fee for service to keep it open,” said David Brenneman, the township’s CAO.
Last Friday, regional officials released a proposal to increase the price to drop off garbage from $2 per bag to $10, with fees measured by vehicle load also increasing.
In exchange, the facility would remain open – at least until 2016.
“We’re suggesting that council can consider a one-year extension of the existing transfer station operations,” said Jon Arsenault, Waterloo Region’s director of waste management.
Still, increased curbside pickup service in the township has the region hoping residents will eventually be more willing to part with the transfer stations.
“We do see … the need for the transfer stations aren’t what they used to be,” Arsenault said.
Two private companies have also shown interest in taking over the transfer station, should the region decide to close it.
