Blind River is hiring a contractor to shred brush and natural wood at the local landfill at a cost of $29,760.
The shredding was recommended to council by the town’s director of public services Chris Zagar.
“The Town of Blind River landfill currently faces the challenge of managing large quantities of natural wood waste generated by the community and disposed of at our landfill,” Zagar said. “Traditionally, this wood waste has been burned as a means of disposal. However, this method poses several concerns, including air pollution, carbon dioxide emissions, staff safety, disaster potential and the inefficient use of a valuable resource.”
Zagar’s recommendation calls for shredded wood to be used to cover over garbage disposed at the site daily, minimizing odours, vectors, and the dispersion of litter.
The contractor would work to shred the current amount of wood already at the landfill.
Councillor Jennifer Posteraro asked whether the town would be better off purchasing a shredder to do the same work. However, Zagar said the use of the contractor this year is based on a yearly evaluation of the need to shred wood.
Council agreed to the contractor hiring.