Correction: An earlier version of this story said Sechelt would have weekly garbage collection – garbage collection is every other week.
Effective Dec. 6, homes in Sechelt will receive weekly food waste and yard waste collection. They will receive recycling and garbage collection every other week. Up to that date, the current curbside collection program continues.
The municipality asks residents to check sechelt.ca before the new programs starts for collection dates for their area as there may be changes. Residents can type in their address to access the new schedule and the website also contains details on what is allowed and not allowed in each type of refuse bin. Information will also be on Sechelt’s “Waste Wizard” app once the new program starts.
New black bins for garbage, blue bins for recycling and green bins for food waste will be dropped off at homes by garbage contractor Waste Management starting the week of Nov. 22. Inside the bin will be collection calendar and route map, along with information on what goes in each bin.
Mayor Darnelda Siegers stated in the release that “under the new contract, Waste Management brought in a fleet of new, fully automated, trucks to service Sechelt that can complete our routes with one operator, instead of two. Bin placement will be important to ensure the new system operates efficiently – the opening of the bins should face the street and bins must be at least one metre away from other bins.”
Residents will need to supply their own compostable paper yard waste bags. These can be loaded with up to 20 kg (or 44 lbs) and should be placed curbside on collection day. A maximum of three bags will be allowed each collection day.
Waste Management will be collecting resident’s existing recycling bins starting Dec. 6. Old bins are to be placed, empty, at the curb that morning and will be collected within two weeks.
At its Nov. 17 meeting (past Coast Reporter deadline) Council will be considering three readings of a new bylaw authorizing new fees for the expanded service. The annual rate charged for municipal refuse collection is slated to increase over the next two years to cover the costs of the expanded service. The proposed rate for 2022 is $243 up $27 from the 2021 level.
The bylaw also adds provisions for solid waste collection rooms to be made mandatory in new multi-family buildings so that their residents can be included in the service. Bylaw amendments, including the ability to levy fines for creating a wildlife attractant due to improper management of refuse at the household level, are also being considered.
Kirn Dhillon, Director of Engineering and Operations, said, “The introduction of organics collection for Sechelt will make a big difference in diverting these materials from the landfill. This new program improves efficiency and sustainability of waste collection for Sechelt.”
