The existing waste management system consistes primarily of a curbside bluebox recycling program, backyard composting, and landfilling at the Alice & Fraser Waste Disposal Site. The remaining life at the Alice & Fraser Waste Disposal Site has been estimated to be less than four years. As a result, a number of municipalities formed a partnership in 1998 to develope and operate a long-term waste management system.

When this undertaking was initiated, public consultation revealed that support for a local long-term waste mangement solution was attainable, provided that great emphasis was placed toward diversion and recycling initiatives, knowing that such initiatives would entail additional capital and operating costs to be assumed, ultimately, by the taxpayers. The Community has, in general, agreed to pay a premium to walk more lightly on the environment by increasing diversion and reuse of materials.