By Tyler Marr

Report on third recycling bin cost to come during budget talks

Sep 24, 2017 | 9:00 AM

In an effort to better provide yard waste collection for the city, a report surrounding the costs of implementing a third bin for recycling will be up for discussion in forthcoming budget talks.

The motion was brought forward by Coun. Ted Zurakowski who said despite the yard waste program receiving a warm welcome, the recent move to paper bags has him questioning future success.

“I think we need to have an honest conversation about A, the program and B, the cost of the program and C, if the residents value it as much as it costs and is there a better way of providing that service,” he said while pitching the idea.

The city recently made the switch from plastic to paper bags on July 1 as a way to make the yard waste program more environmentally friendly. It also is said to save the city about $50,000 per season.

But the bags may be a bit too environmentally friendly.

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Coun. Blake Edwards said he has heard the “paper bags aren’t working that great,” and told the story of how he left his bag past one pickup cycle, grabbed it and the bottom fell out. This has him wary about spring, when everybody has the bags sitting out and “we send people to pick them up and (the waste) is all over the street.”

“I don’t believe we pick up until around May Long and often people have bags of product sitting there for more than a month…these paper bags aren’t going to stand up,” he said. “We really need to take a serious look at this program. I am in favour of a third bin, I would like to see the numbers.”

Also receiving mixed reports on the program was Coun. Evert Botha who pitched a subscription-based bin model and to incentivize residents who comply.

“I would be very keen to see what the cost would be if we develop a subscription model,” Botha said. “But I must also caution. We have wards and blocks and streets that still share communal bins and those are still being taken advantage of.”

The report on costs associated with a third bin will be considered at upcoming budget meetings this fall.

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr