Vancouver, British Columbia, politicians, when it comes to garbage, say even though they'd like an option other than burn or bury, incineration has the edge.

The Globe and Mail has reported that finding a progressive third solution to Metro Vancouver's garbage disposal was at the heart of a contentious and allegedly confusion vote on Friday.

The newspaper said on Sunday that representatives of 22 member municipalities debated for 5 hours. At the end, Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart's proposal won the majority of votes.

Stewart said, "Our council wanted something that would allow knowledgeable companies to bid that aren't just burning it or storing it. Incineration may be where we end up, but now we're saying 'let's look at other options in the process.'"

The Mail further said that bids will be accepted from companies proposing all manner of solutions for the region's garbage including alternatives such as gasification, converting plastics to fuels and other innovative technologies that are just starting to be used by a few other pioneering cities.

Stewart further added, "It was almost an anti-incineration vote. There were many who voted for this because they were uncomfortable with incineration."

From everything he's read or seen, he's been convinced by the science incineration is the best solution, North Vancouver City Mayor Darrell Mussatto has said.

Mussatto also said that the health and environmental benefits of the new technologies may be minimal, but the cost differences are huge.

He said, "We have to look at how we're going to afford these things." (With Inputs from Agencies)