It’s not a dump. It’s a recycle and landfill operation. And what I saw today was amazing.
It’s the Hartland Landfill Facility, owned and operated by the Capital Regional District. (Capital as in the capital city of British Columbia: Victoria.)
But the landfill serves communities from Victoria and Saanich, all the way up the west coast to Port Renfrew, and up the Trans-Canada Highway to the Malahat area. And it includes the five Southern Gulf Islands.
The top photo shows that the current working landfill area, Phase 2, has reached the sky.
Work is underway now to level another small mountain, and to crush and reuse all the material on site so landfill operations can move to the new, third hill. (the first hill, Phase 1, is nicely covered with trees) The third hill, Phase 3, will be in use for about 45 years.
The view at the top of the second hill as seen through the window of the tour/school bus.
Actually all four photos were taken with a phone from inside the bus. Mostly while the bus was bouncing along the dusty roads on a scorching day.
Fun fact: the landfill captures gases released as the materials decompose. Currently Hartland generates electricity with this gas. And soon they will produce renewable natural gas.
I was confused about this at first. Perhaps see: Waste and Greenhouse Gas
Optional reading: Stig of the Dump
CRD information on the Hartland Landfill: Frequently Asked Questions