By Jeff Labine

Paper or plastic? City following switch for yard waste

Jul 17, 2017 | 12:00 PM

The shift from plastic to paper bags for yard waste appears to be going well, according to Prince Albert’s public works operations manager.

As of Canada Day, the city made the switch to only pick up yard waste in compostable paper bags. The move is expected to save the city roughly $50,000 annually and be more environmentally friendly.

Operations manager Mohammad Kraishan said, so far, people have been following the new rules with some going as far as to bring yard waste in paper bags to the landfill.

“Overall, the project is going very well. I’m happy we are taking it one step further here especially towards a more environmentally friendly program. We haven’t had complaints about people not finding these bags. I buy them myself. I buy them from RONA. They are available there,” he said.

If city crews do find yard waste in plastic bags, they will not be picked up.

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Prince Albert isn’t the only municipality to ban plastic bags for yard waste. Regina, Toronto and Ottawa have a similar ban in place.

Kraishan said yard waste in communal garbage bins like the ones found in Midtown will not be picked up either.  

“Our bylaw indicates that yard waste should not and must not be placed in regular garbage or recycling bins,” he said. “We are relying on the public here to not place any yard waste in those bins. They are specifically out there for recycling or garbage.”

Besides RONA, he said the paper bags can also be picked up at Canadian Tire.

Collection is from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on scheduled days. Yard waste collection can only be placed the same day as recycling. Those with front curbside recycling are asked to continue to place yard waste on the front curb about a metre from the recycling container.

Jeff.labine@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @labinereporter