Residents in Regional District of Central Kootenay Area J, F and H are going to get the opportunity to vote on a new garbage and organics collection service.
The district will be holding a referendum as new service establishment bylaws in the RDCK need to receive voter approval before they can move forward.
Area J residents who already have RDCK curbside recycling including Robson, Ootischenia and Fairview will be eligible for the service.
“The hope is to extend the lifespan of the Ootischenia landfill by diverting items from the landfill to composting and other uses,” explained Area J director Henny Hanegraaf.
“I think it is a great opportunity.”
Hanegraaf said the service would also be a cost savings for most users.
Right now residents either take their garbage to the landfill themselves, or pay a contractor to do it for them.
“It is my hope that the people of Area J want to move to curbside organics and garbage pickup because it is the right thing to do for the environment,” said Hanegraaf.
She says it would also address concerns expressed by residents in south Ootischenia about the ever-increasing traffic heading to the RDCK landfill.
“If we moved to curbside collection, it would reduce traffic along Columbia Road.”
The program also has the potential to reduce illegal dumping and burying of garbage.
It would be similar to the City of Castlegar’s new organics and garbage program. It would have weekly organics/compost collection. Garbage and recycling collection would take place every two weeks on alternating weeks.
“I understand that change is difficult, but we have to do something for the planet,” said Hanegraaf.
There are still a few details the district has to work out before the idea comes to a vote, including a final price per property for the service and a date for the referendum.
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betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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