The city’s new garbage bylaw is official.
In essence, city garbage collectors will no longer pick up residential garbage from 120-litre cans, nor will they pick up loose garbage bags outside the can.
Instead, collectors will pick up garbage only from two 80-litre cans on a bi-weekly basis.
Additional garbage above that can be placed in a separate 80-litre can if the resident has bought and affixed a city-issued orange sticker on it.
They bylaw takes effect on April 4.
There will be a public education campaign about how to comply with the new bylaw in the three months leading up to April 4.
In response to a question about the availability of 80-litre cans with wheels, Cicon said there are retailers in town who carry them.
The bylaw was spawned by overuse injuries to city workers last year.
A subsequent WorkSafe B.C. report critical of city garbage pickup procedures prompted the city to move quickly to address the issues raised in the report.
The city faced fines if the problems weren’t rectified.
The idea of weekly garbage pickup is still being floated in the community, and the matter is also set to be part of the upcoming city budget discussions.
“This (new bylaw) just seems to me to be a little premature,” Coun. Jack McLeman said.
The city may opt to go with a garbage truck outfitted with a mechanical pickup arm which requires a special garbage can.
If that’s the case, then where will that leave residents who bought two 80-litre garbage cans that can’t be used with them, Coun. Cindy Solda asked.
In response to the questions, city engineer Guy Cicon said that immediacy is required because of the overuse injuries.
“It will be some time before we can implement it,” Cicon said of a mechanical arm truck.
“That’s time we can’t spare with the garbage collectors.”
reporter@albernivalleynews.com