Upper Liard dump sees more trash as Watson Lake dump fees rise

The Yukon government is weighing different management options now that more people are taking their trash to the Upper Liard dump.

The increase coincides with new tipping fees at the nearby municipal landfill in Watson Lake.

“[Every day] at least half a dozen people go by with loads on the back of their trucks,” says Ron Allen, who lives near the Upper Liard Transfer Station. “Everything from tires to metal stuff to batteries to computers, fridges, stoves, etc, etc, etc. It just goes on and on and on."

It's free to drop off waste at the Yukon government site. That’s in contrast to the Watson Lake landfill, which recently introduced caps and tipping fees.

People in town now have to pay for garbage services and are limited to two bags. Commercial trash costs $50 for an unsorted tonne and the fees are going up.

Dwayne Muckosky with the Yukon government's community services department says the increased waste is well beyond what was planned for the site.

“Our focus right now is really on tightening up controls at the site,” he says. “We're looking at the possibility of perhaps installing a gate and the possibility of having a site attendant in place.”

Watson Lake Mayor Richard Durocher says talks are underway with the Yukon government to make the Watson Lake facility a regional landfill.

“I don't think there's a need for two landfills within 15 kilometres of each other. I think that's ridiculous and costly as well.”

Muckosky says the Yukon Government is committed to working with the municipality.

"It certainly makes a lot of sense for both levels of government to work together to look at a regional approach to providing solid waste services. You know we have full intention of bringing resources to the table to really show good faith and show commitment to finding a solution."

He says the Yukon Government plans to hold a community meeting in Upper Liard to discuss waste option in the coming weeks.