Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in October, the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment posted a panel discussion about landfill management in the Northwest Territories. Waste is like death and taxes, Mr. Speaker; it's a given but it needs proper planning and management to protect future generations. Waste management is not a flashy topic. It doesn't get many people excited or stir up headlines. But how we manage waste is critically important to every NWT community. Waste management is a shared challenge and responsibility and is key to protecting the North's waters and lands.
Mr. Speaker, the NWT has the second highest waste disposal rate in Canada, and this clearly puts environmental and financial pressure on all landfills across the territory. The panel highlighted the challenges facing landfills, including hazardous waste, industrial waste, as well as housing waste; and, many NWT landfills are approaching the end of their lifecycle.
Mr. Speaker, 40 percent of NWT landfills are commercial waste relating to housing construction and repair, hospitals, and largely government infrastructure. This means there's plenty of room for the GNWT to be a leader in reducing landfill needs means and pressure on municipalities. This is an opportunity for the GNWT to evaluate how it generates waste, support backhaul programs to remove waste, and explore the potential of regional landfills. But waste management is not solely a government responsibility, and each of us can make a significant impact on our landfills.
Sixty percent of land fills are residential waste, and almost half of the waste stream of that is compost. Composting and redirecting compostable material from general landfills reduces greenhouse gases, wildlife problems, fire risk, and the byproduct is soil.
Mr. Speaker, we know that many of our communities are small and isolated and the cost to remove waste is significant. But getting rid of solid waste stockpiles is fiscally and environmentally responsible. During the panel, several simple solutions were presented, like reducing waste and potential waste that enters communities, composting, and moving less to less landfills with better services at each. Industry stakeholders are suggesting waste sorting and control measures to extend the life of landfills significantly. But, to shift the trajectory of our trash requires the support of the GNWT in collaboration with municipalities. I will have questions for the Minister of Community and Municipal Affairs after this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.