Castlegar is just a few weeks away from seeing major changes to our curb side garbage collection routines. Beginning in April residents will see their waste collected every other week.
The bear-resistant carts that are also part of the plan are expected to be issued to residents during the last week of March. The new carts will be issued free of charge to residents that are currently paying for city garbage collection. The standard size for the wheeled carts will be 64 gallons, but residents can request a smaller one if they find it too large for their needs. Arrangements can also be made to purchase an extra cart if residents find the 64 gallon one is not large enough for them. However, the city is recommending that residents complete a trial of one month with a single cart before requesting a second cart just to ensure the extra cart is required.
Recycling collection will remain bi-weekly and will occur on the same day as garbage collection. The change will be that it will now be a dual stream system meaning that the recycling is separated by the home owner into two separate blue boxes that will also be supplied by the city. Residents will be provided with two 82-litre blue boxes, one for paper and cardboard and one for plastic and tin containers. If a resident has more recycling than will fit into the blue boxes, they can set out additional recycling in owner supplied blue boxes. In order to eliminate papers being blown around or getting soaked from rain and snow, residents will also receive a reusable blue bag in which to set out their mixed paper products.
Glass will no longer be collected curb side. However, it, along with any other recyclable material that is part of MMBC's residential packaging and printed paper program can be taken to Zion Trucking, 2324 6th Avenue. Items accepted include non-deposit glass bottles and jars, plastic bags and plastic foam packaging, along with curbside recycling materials such as newsprint, cardboard, household papers, metal containers, plastic containers, and paper packaging that held liquid when sold, such as coffee cups and soup cartons. The depot accepts materials dropped off during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There will be no change to yard waste collection, curbside collection will occur twice annually and the drop off location behind the Castlegar Complex will remain in operation. In addition, council will be considering subsidizing compost containers during the 2016 budget process.
An information package will be delivered with the carts and blue boxes that includes an updated collection schedule and provides more information on cart use and how to separate your recycling.
Castlegar is also connected to the My-Waste website and mobile app which has personalized collection schedules, reminders, information on what goes where, and where to recycle unusual items. A link to the app can be found at castlegar.ca by entering "my waste mobile app" in the search box.
Those who are interested in getting a sneak peak at the new semi-automated side collection trucks and how they pick up the the new carts can do so at the next city council meeting, scheduled for Monday, March 21 at 7 p.m.