New numbers provided to city councillors Monday at a Municipal Services Committee meeting are indicating a reduction in the amount of garbage being thrown in the trash in the area where new individual rollout bins are being tested.
The numbers were provided in a memorandum from Director of Public Works and Engineering Stewart Schafer who cited figures from K & B Construction. According to K & B records, the amount of garbage produced on average in the year prior to implementation of the individual roll-out project was 6,842 kg per week. But during the period of the pilot project, the amount of garbage averaged about 3,109 kg per week - "a significant reduction," according to Schafer's report.
The new figures come as councillors debate whether to switch over to individual rollout bins from the current communal bins throughout the city. One of the arguments made for switching to the smaller individual bins was that it would cut down on certain large waste items - furniture, appliances and other items - that can be thrown into the large bins. That practice had filled the landfill at a rapid rate, resulting in costly expansions to cells there.
But a citywide switch to rollout bins would also cost money, with the city estimating the increase in annual collection charges at $150,249. That figure has been on the minds of councillors since the issue arose at council last month.
Several councillors expressed surprise about the extent of the garbage reduction at Monday's meeting. Councillor Rhonda Seidel called the numbers "astonishing" and Councillor Grace Lang went so far as to question whether the figures were accurate.
Coucnillors they wanted to see more information and more facts and figures on the issue by the next municipal services meeting.
