The end is near for three of Yukon's rural waste transfer stations

The Yukon government is moving forward with its target to modernize the territory's solid waste disposal system, but some residents still aren't happy. 

It's investing in regional solid-waste facilities across the territory in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make rural communities more economically and environmentally sustainable.

Part of this plan also includes closing waste transfer stations in Keno City, Braeburn, Johnson's Crossing, and Silver City, something area residents have been advocating against for years.

On Monday, the territory announced it would be closing the remaining three transfer stations in Braeburn, Johnson's Crossing, and Silver City on Oct.1. 

Dave Albisser is the director of community services with the Yukon government.

He said the money that is saved from operating the three transfer stations will be redirected to improving services the regional waste management facilities across the territory offer.

"We're looking to transition more toward a user responsibility model instead of a tax payer model," he explained.

"There are literally thousands of Yukoners who rely on municipal solid waste facilities but live outside of municipal boundaries so those folks also need service and the regional agreements that we've set up ensure access for those folks."

Albisser said the territory has entered into regional landfill agreements with the municipalities of Carmacks, Dawson City, Haines Junction, Mayo, Teslin and Watson Lake.

'We're not giving up'

Suzanne Tremblay splits her time between Silver City, and Destruction Bay. She's been a vocal advocate for the transfer stations from the start.

"We're not giving up," she said.

Tremblay said the news of the closures is frustrating, but not entirely surprising. She said despite government officials holding public consultations with the impacted communities, she had a sense they already had their minds made up.

"They put all that energy in these big reports and all these meetings and what their decision is is what they started this whole process with. We're closing," Tremblay said. 

Tremblay slammed the government's "what we heard" report published last month, and said this decision clearly shows that officials weren't actually listening to what residents said they wanted.

Once the waste transfer stations are closed, Braeburn, Johnson's Crossing, and Silver City residents will have to take their household waste to regional waste facilities in Deep Creek, Carmacks, Marsh Lake, Teslin, Destruction Bay/Burwash and/or Haines Junction.

Services for residents in the impacted communities will be supplemented by annual dumpster days to allow for cleanups and large items, provided with bear-resistant bins for residential garbage, and support with establishing recycling depots.

Tremblay said those 'so-called' solutions aren't going work for a place like Silver City.

"They're saying we're going to give you a recycling centre and you guys can supply the site, the transportation, and we'll pay you 12 hours a week to have a recycling centre," she said. "Silver City doesn't need that. Each individual already takes care of their own recycling."

And then there's the bins.

"Just to appease people they're saying we're going to bring a bin once a year and you can get rid of your big items. Silver City doesn't need that. Those are problems we don't have. What Silver City needs is a household garbage transfer station."

'Mockery of public consultation'

Another person who said he's frustrated with the territory's decision is Yukon Party MLA for Kluane, Wade Istchenko.

"They actually went out and created a 'what we heard' document. Spent money. Listened to constituents. The solutions were in the 'what we heard' document and 'bang' closed," Istchenko said, calling the decision a "mockery of public consultation."

Like Tremblay, Istchenko said the solutions that officials are offering aren't adequate to accommodate the needs of people living in the impacted communities. He used Keno City as an example — the first unincorporated community to have its waste transfer station closed.

"The household garbage is going to cause huge issues," he said. "Keno's having issues with bears now because they closed theirs and gave them little bear-proof containers but the bears knock them over."

"You can't store it outside for any length of time. It has to go somewhere. Which means they're going to have to travel, especially the business community, two or three or four times a week."