A zero-waste Indigenous-run organization has partnered with three stewardship programs to make sure that hazardous goods are taken out and adequately disposed of in First Nations communities across the province.

The partnership includes the Indigenous Zero Waste Technical Advisory Group, BC Used Oil Management Association, Product Care Recycling and the Canadian Battery Association.

The intention behind the project was to help First Nation communities overcome the challenges they face when disposing of dangerous waste.

含羞草研究社淲e have a lot of coastal communities that we are barging their waste out,含羞草研究社� said advisory group president Calvin Jameson. 含羞草研究社淪ometimes you have to travel up to nine hours up a logging road to reach other communities.含羞草研究社�

The transportation of hazardous materials was also a puzzle in itself 含羞草研究社� it is required by law, federally and provincially, to possess the appropriate licence to transport toxic wastes.

The stewardship programs come into play at this point. These non-profit organizations are the ones responsible for safely handling, transporting and disposing of these hazardous goods.

While the stewardship program has the licences required, remote communities face challenges to access the service.

含羞草研究社淚t was hard for the communities to find us,含羞草研究社� said B.C. Used Oil Management Association CEO David Lawes. 含羞草研究社淏efore we had to find them and they had to find us.含羞草研究社�

Lawes said the advisory group is bridging the gap between the services and the communities.

As a roving expert, Jameson works tirelessly with the stewards to connect 98 Indigenous communities with the programs. This initiative has become so successful that Jameson含羞草研究社檚 team and the stewards have had to increase training to meet the demand.

For Jameson, responsible and secure practices are paramount, noting that hazardous waste can easily end up in B.C.含羞草研究社檚 waterways if not properly disposed of.

含羞草研究社淎ny hole that you dig in B.C., or whatever you dump in the ground, leads to a waterway,含羞草研究社� said Jameson. 含羞草研究社淚f you don含羞草研究社檛 have a properly engineered landfill, the oil and other toxic waste will get in the ground and eventually end up in our waterways.含羞草研究社�

Jameson said he含羞草研究社檚 thankful to work alongside others who share the same passion as he has.

含羞草研究社淭heir passion is to keep our First Nations communities clean.含羞草研究社�

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olivier.laurin@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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