Navan Recycling Yard gets two year permit extension

On Wednesday, Nov. 25 council approved a zoning amendment that will allow the facility, operated by Millenn Construction Services, to continue operations for another two years. The application originally requested a three-year extension.

Innes Coun. Rainer Bloess called the last-minute change a compromise between the applicant and area residents opposed to the permit extension. He explained the two year extension gives residents closure while Millenn still has time to find a new site suitable for its operations.

The approval was made with the understanding that Millenn will not put forth an application for another extension at the site, according to Bloess.

The temporary zoning permit extension is still subject to provincial environmental regulations and if the Ministry of the Environment were to revoke Millenn’s certificate, the city would require the facility to cease operations.

Since beginning operations in April 2008, the Navan Recycling Yard has diverted approximately 20,000 tonnes of recyclable material from landfills, according to a report prepared by the IBI Group on behalf of Millenn.

Most materials come from new home construction and are separated, processed and sold for further processing into post-consumer materials and products. Remaining non-recyclable materials are disposed of at landfills.

The yard currently employs 15 workers and processes between 100 and 150 tonnes daily.

The 3.1-acre property, located at 3628 Navan Rd., just west of Mer Bleue Road, is zoned for future urban development. The initial two-year exception temporarily allowing recycling was granted in Dec. 7, 2007.