The Environment and Climate Change Committee received an overview of the City’s plan to implement the Council-approved Curbside Waste Diversion Policy, which comes into effect on Monday, September 30.
The new policy, which allows households receiving curbside collection to set out three garbage items every two weeks, is one of several City initiatives to reduce the amount of unnecessary waste sent to the Trail Waste Facility Landfill and to reduce the climate impact of managing waste. More than half of what currently goes to the landfill could go in the green, blue or black bin, and if more waste is not diverted the landfill is expected to reach capacity within the next decade.
To guide residents through the change, the City will roll out a communications and outreach plan over the next several months, including tools and tips to help people divert more waste. Once the limit is in place there will be a two-month transition period to help residents adjust, focusing on education first and gradually moving to not collecting garbage over the limit in December.
In addition, the City will offer flexible options to help residents deal with unavoidable extra garbage. Residents will be able to purchase yellow bags that would not be counted against the three-item limit as a way to set out garbage over the limit on occasion. These bags are sold at locations throughout the city, including Client Service Centres and select Home Hardware’s. The Special Considerations program offers collection of diapers, incontinence products, and home healthcare waste on off weeks. Agricultural properties with residential households who receive curbside collection will have a seasonal exemption period during which they can set out unlimited unavoidable farm waste.
Read more in the Bay Ward Bulletin
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