Solid Waste Management

Solid Waste Management

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management is the collection, transport and disposal of waste away from the residential area. At the same time it is a continuous endeavour to develop appropriate alternative options for waste prevention and minimization of waste. The disposal of waste in the MSW storage facility goes into various controlled areas, e.g., bulky waste area, metal disposal area, landfill, and area for hazardous waste. These facilities are managed with particular emphasis on providing for true long-term public health and environmental protection from the various wastes collected for disposal.

MACA in 2003 developed Guidelines for the MSW facilities outlining the planning, design, operation and maintenance of these facilities. The Guidelines are intended to provide protection of groundwater, surface water and to have proper management of nuisances associated with the landfill operations. These Guidelines are developed to satisfy the requirements of the Northwest Territories Public Health Act and are used as reference for the regulatory agencies, designers, owners and operators. Major topics covered in the Guidelines include;

  • Wastes characteristics affecting landfill design,
  • Site selection and siting criteria,
  • Design and construction,
  • Waste collection procedures
  • Operations and performance monitoring,
  • Recycling of various waste
  • Decommissioning and post-commissioning,
  • Contingency and mitigation planning, and
  • Record keeping and reporting

References and Additional Guidance Documents

 Department of Environment and Natural Resources guidelines (available at http://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/publications

  • Management of Biomedical Waste (2005)
  • Waste Asbestos (2004)
  • Agriculture Waste (1999)
  • Ozone Depleting Substances (2007)
  • Industrial Waste Discharges (2004)
  • General Management of Hazardous Waste (1998)
  • Waste Antifreeze (1998)
  • Waste Paint (1998)
  • Waste Batteries (1998)

Northwest Territories Water Boards  http://mvlwb.com/resources/policy-and-guidelines

Northern Territories Water and Waste Association (NTWWA)  http://www.ntwwa.com/

Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) www.swana.org/