The Council of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges RCM is in the process of purchasing two plots of land for the regional composting facility in Saint-Télesphore, near the sandpits sector and accessible via chemin Saint-Antoine.

The regional composting platform is a $20 million project, with a subsidy of $5.4 million and annual operating costs of $1.4 million.

According to the scenarios established for the composting platform project, the cost of processing would be around $100/tonne. The project will therefore enable us to better control the cost of organic waste management in the medium and long term.

"We have worked with the municipality of Saint-Télesphore since the beginning of the process to find a site in a collaborative spirit, and we will continue to work in the same spirit with the other municipalities in the vicinity of the chosen site," says Patrick Bousez, RCM Prefect and Mayor of Rivière-Beaudette.

First and foremost, this project aims to meet mandatory government targets for landfill reduction, comply with residual materials management plans and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in a perspective of regional autonomy, public governance and the circular economy.

It should be noted that only green residues, autumn leaves and food residues from Vaudreuil-Soulanges will be processed at the regional composting platform; no sludge will be permitted.

It's also important to note that this site will never be used for technical landfill purposes, as this is strictly forbidden by the RCM's development plan.

In 2021, the Municipality of Sainte-Justine-de-Newton was being considered for the platform. However, citizen protests and a change of guard at the head of the town council led to the project's abortion. 

"It's a structuring regional project, concerned with the environment, which aims at quality composting for a return to the earth. opportunity for the municipality of Saint-Télesphore," adds David McKay, mayor of the municipality of Saint-Télesphore.

Steps underway

This environmental project, the largest in the RCM, will enable us to meet government targets and properly treat our organic matter. There are, however, a number of stages to be completed in a precise order for such a project.

First, it was essential for the RCM to identify a viable potential site according to the various government criteria in place, then to begin the land acquisition process, and finally to be in a position to properly inform the population.

Until now, the Vaudreuil-Soulanges RCM had not named the target municipality, to avoid possible speculation and out of respect for the landowner. This approach also ensures responsible use of taxpayers' money.

Next steps

The next steps are a series of environmental studies and applications for government authorizations. The RCM is committed to keeping the public informed of the progress of the regional composting platform project throughout the process.

The project will be carried out within the framework of a participatory and concerted approach based on social acceptability, to ensure that it integrates harmoniously into the host community, responds to citizens' concerns and maximizes the benefits for the community.

"We are embarking on a project by and for the region, in full transparency, respecting democratic processes and current standards, and with a view to social and environmental responsibility," concludes Patrick Bousez, RCM prefect and mayor of Rivière-Beaudette.

Citizens are invited to send their questions and comments to [email protected].