Roseneath unimpressed with recycling plant proposal

Residents in Roseneath, near Cardigan, say they're still unimpressed with a proposal by Myers Industries for a waste and recycling facility in their neighbourhood, despite the company's adjustments to its original plans.

Myers Industries originally applied to open a new recycling and storage facility next to its bottle depot on Alleys Mill Road, prompting dozens of residents to launch a protest in June.

After mounting opposition, the company decided to change its proposal so that part of the operation the truck storage and recycling facilities would move down the road to the Pooles Corner Business Park.

"We received a lot of feedback from the neighbours," said Clinton Myers, the manager of Myers Industries.

"We feel this is the best position for our company in the business park, surrounded by other businesses."

Thelma Johnston, a Roseneath resident involved in last month's protest, said the new plan does little to satisfy people's concerns about safety and the environment.

"Most of us would still like to see the recycling facility in another area, that's for sure," she said.

"I don't think anyone on P.E.I. could have an issue with that."

Myers Industries applied to open a new facility after a fire burned down part of its original plant in Brudenell in April.

Ten years ago, the province fined the company for leaving piles of blue bags outside.

Johnston said she'd like to see the entire operationnot just a portion of it moved to the business park. She said the company's plan to build a private road connecting the business park and bottle depot also has its risks.

"There's a lot of wetland in that land adjacent to the business park and to the bottle depot," she said.

"Our concern is putting a road through that wetland."

Garth Myers, the owner of Myers Industries, said the road would not disturb the wetlands and it would keep his trucks off the main road.

"We're in a position now with proper financing to build a proper facility," he said.

"Everything is going to be inside, all our recyclables and what have you."

Myers Industries said its modified proposal is in the early stages because the company still needs to acquire land in the Pooles Corner Business Park and in the adjacent property.

The provincial government is still collecting feedback before it decides if the project should go ahead.