By Patrick Book

Mandatory recycling a step closer in Regina

Apr 21, 2011 | 8:04 AM

Regina's mandatory curbside recycling program is one step closer to being pushed forward but not before private recyclers get a chance to make their bid to run the utility.

On Wednesday the Executive Committee, which consists of all 10 councillors and the mayor, considered two more reports on the program, which has turned into a much longer process than initially expected. Council has already approved the plan in principle, including some specific details including the piece that will see households receive a separate bill for recycling.

During the meeting the committee decided that materials should be co-mingled. That means homeowners will have a single container and will put all recyclable materials in it for pick-up. Those materials will then be sorted and separated at a processing plant. While that method is slightly more expensive than having people separate materials themselves the committee went along with city staff's assertion that more it would be easier for the public than separating out materials and, as a result, more people would participate.

The committee is also recommending city council issue a series of requests for proposals from the private industry to see if it can offer a lower price for the various services that will make up the recycling program. That includes everything from the actual pick-up of recyclable materials to the billing of customers. Mayor Pat Fiacco notes figures put together by city staff in an extensive business proposal indicate that the city could run the program at a cost of $96 dollars a household, per year.

But Fiacco wants to see if the private industry can beat that price. “There's so many components to it, the administration felt we better make sure that we're going to be comparing apples to apples, so what is it we can do internally and what is it the private sector can do. We'll determine if the private sector is going to be able to come in below that cost.”

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

13h ago

National

Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds

17h ago

Budget woes

Golf and curling centre faces grim season without financial boost

20h ago

The city will reserve the right to reject an application that costs more than their target. Because the province has signed on to the New West Partnership agreement, a trade and labour mobility partnership with Alberta and B.C., the process will be open to out-of-province companies as well as Regina's two local recycling firms.
The two local firms say they currently charge $89 and $110, respectively.

The RFPs will be carefully crafted by city staff over the next four months. Companies will have two months to put their bids together and the city will take another two months after that to pick a winner. Fiacco admits it's dragging out the process.

“There's been so much discussion I think council just wants to get it done and I know citizens are saying, 'Let's just get it done.'” City staff indicate that the RFP process could mean actual work may not get started until 2013, overshooting the projected roll-out that was to start in 2012. Fiacco insists council would push for the 2012 date to stay in place.

He's also not putting a lot of stock in city polling that shows only 30 per cent of people approve of the city charging for a recycling program. He says every other western city has already been through that. “Every one (of the mayors in those cities) have said, 'Everybody wants it, no one wants to pay for it. You just have to make the decision and get it done. Once it's up and running they'll appreciate it.'”

City council will vote on the recommendations at their next meeting.

news@panow.com