Time has come to talk trash responsibly

Wake up and smell the landfill. Let’s talk trash.

As I understand it, both Cheney and Medical Lake continue to deliberate whether or not to sign with Spokane County’s new solid waste system services. Prior to 1991, Spokane County’s garbage was land filled within the county. As populations and industries flourished, more coal slag, plastics, leaded paints, pesticides, oil, as well as more food wastes, paper, packaging, and other disposable consumer items mixed together to form oozing leachate.

Eventually, the leachate percolates into ground water, carrying contaminants that were in the garbage. Since landfills contaminated our aquifer in 1991, the Spokane Regional Solid Waste System (SRSWS) began providing comprehensive solid waste services through the Waste to Energy facility. Finally, our garbage is handled in an environmentally safe and effective manner.

However, that security is short lived, because with the Nov. 16 deadline approaching, decisions are still being weighed as to what system is best and financially responsible for various West Plains jurisdictions. The county wants higher tipping fees, and our West Plains communities demand fair and equitable fees.

Do we want to revert back to trucking our trash to landfills and causing oozing leachate to percolate into our ground water? Do we want to pay fees that may not be sustainable by small communities? Our elected officials need to know how we feel. Please contact your city officials and county commissioners and voice your opinions and concerns. Let’s talk trash responsibly.

And, if Medical Lake and Airway Heights elect to not use the SRSWS system, it is possible residents may not be able to use the Waste-to-Energy Facility for recycling, household hazardous waste drop-off, or for self-hauling garbage for disposal. Citizens will be directed to use Sunshine Disposal’s transfer station at 2405 N. University Road in Spokane Valley.

Tracy Spencer

Medical Lake