A local advocacy group is calling attention to garbage that is polluting a popular hiking trail in the capital city.

Friends of the Sugarloaf Path has written the city of St. John’s asking for action to be taken on the amount of garbage from the Robin Hood Bay Landfill that is ending up along the path, and out into the the ocean via Skerries Brook.

In their letter, the group outlines nine recommendations for the city on how to address the situation, including conducting an environmental assessment of the landfill, cleaning the debris out of Skerries Brook, and several other recommendations concerning legislation and policies.

A member of the group, who wishes to stay anonymous, says they have been in contact with the city about the issues, and says the city is putting together preliminary background information on how to move forward.

He says the group is optimistic, but cautious about what they’ve heard, saying some of these issues have been known for over 20 years and it appears not much has been done about it yet.

You can see and sign the letter here.

It’s an Ongoing Issue, says Mayor

Meanwhile, St. John’s mayor Danny Breen says the issue of garbage from the landfill is an ongoing issue the city is trying to address.

Breen says the city processes 200,000 metric tonnes of waste at the site each year, and admits it is an ongoing issue.

He says city staff are looking into courses of action taken by other municipalities, but the most effective solution they have found so far is special fencing to help contain the garbage.

Which, coincidentally, is something city council will be looking at tonight.

Council will vote on a tender to build more fencing at the Robin Hood Bay Landfill.