Cap-and-trade cancellation delivers setback to possible London green bin program

Premier Doug Ford‘s decision to cancel Ontario’s cap-and-trade system has created uncertainty in London.

The decision to end cap-and-trade has put the programs it funded in the lurch.

One of those programs is the municipal Greenhouse Gas Challenge Fund, which has already funneled $1.45 million to the Forest City for climate change-fighting projects. The city is set to submit an application for round two July 13.

As of right now the fund is still active but Jay Stanford, London’s director of environmental programs, says they check the website for an update “every day.”

If the application process is allowed to continue, the city will apply for $2 million in capital funding that would be used to offset the cost of a future organics management program.

Stanford says that money likely could be for a green bin program.

Stanford told 980 CFPL’s Craig Needles the cancellation of cap-and-trade is bad news.

“As much as it touches on programs such as the green bin and other waste management programs, the cancellation impacts a number of city programs and projects, residents of London, businesses and institutions,” he said.

London city hall has been quite successful in attracting funding from the province, with money generated by cap-and-trade, for local environmental programs.

The city received $3.3 million for a commuter recycling program, $1.5 million for work on a bike share system and the movement towards natural gas vehicles for garbage vehicles, plus nearly $1 million for energy retrofits for social housing.

It’s not known if the city will continue be able to replicate that success under Ford and the Conservatives but Stanford admits he’s not getting his hopes up.

“It’s not looking good at this point.”

London is one of the largest city in the country without a green bin program, or something equivalent. It has been debated by various city councils for years and has consistently been rejected due to the cost.

The green bin program comes with a $12 million start up cost plus a $4.5 million annual operating cost.

It’s viewed as a way to divert waste from London’s landfill, an issue that will be back on the agenda later this month.

“We want to hit 60% waste diversion, as per council direction, with all our systems in place by 2022. That’s only four years away, time goes quickly,” said Stanford.

London’s landfill on Manning drive has only seven years of capacity remaining.