Town council heard firsthand from resident Edwin Geuder over his complaints regarding the new waste management and recycle program at its regular meeting Tuesday, Jan. 26.
Geuder is known for taking his garbage to Town Hall after seeing garbage collected every other week. He took some time with councillors proposing a way to have weekly garbage pickups in the summer while still meeting the contract requirements.
Geuder said he is not against the program or the bins, rather he welcomes them, but the bi-weekly pickups in the summer are what have him concerned.
“Some research revealed there is the Alberta Health Act, with regulations on sanitation, waste removal and hygienic matters,” said Geuder.
After some research Geuder says he found some communities that have a similar program with garbage collection every two weeks but increased to every week in the summer. His proposal is to reduce the number of summer collections of yard waste, from May to October, and have garbage collected weekly instead. Geuder suggested this could mitigate the costs of the extra garbage pickups.
“Why would yard waste be more important than household waste containing spoiled, rotten food and diapers?” asked Geuder.
He requested the town reply to his proposal in the next few weeks.
Mayor Rick Bonnett thanked him for the visit but asked Geuder not to drop his garbage off at Town Hall anymore. Geuder agreed. He said he spoke with the police and understands that the town got the message and he intends to communicate with administration rather than put the bags on the doorstep.
Updating on the program
As the program has been running for a short period of time, it is hard to get full details of its operations but Dave McPhee, director of operations and property services said he is monitoring things.
“Time gives us a better understanding,” said McPhee.
He reiterated one of the reasons behind the two week garbage collection is to encourage recycling and based on studies of per capita numbers, most families should be able to manage with one grey garbage can.
Waste management bylaw passes second reading
Councillors had several questions related to the proposed waste management bylaw, which sets definitions and responsibilities of the carts as well and collections services policies in town.
Prohibited items and removal of waste is also delineated in the proposal as well as costs for extra cans for larger families, those with six or seven people in addition to residential buildings with multiple apartments and McPhee says they monitor that on a case-by-case basis.
If a home is eligible for an extra garbage can, their costs would be an additional $6 per month. McPhee added that Green For Life Environmental, the company contracted for garbage collection, does bi-weekly pickups in many municipalities across the province.
McPhee said he is working closely with Green For Life monitoring the pickups and how things are working, including alley way collections. He said there are three areas of concern that residents have mentioned: back alley pickup, bi-weekly garbage pickup and there are more homes to collect from than originally anticipated.
A change to the policy will be made within three months to adjust to the additional residences.