Return garbage carts to lanes

Here’s a little history of the City’s residential garbage pickup. If you go back 80 years garbage pickup and toilet service was on the rear property line. For example, on toilet service the toilet house was placed on the property line and cleaned out by City/contract crews at night then dumped in open landfill coulee behind where A&W and Dairy Queen Scenic south are today. Garbage and waste pickup were arm’s length entry.

There are many residents today who have been given arbitrary notice after City analysis their lane garbage cart pickup must be be moved to front curb. No prior input with citizens by City Waste officials or proper reasons. In our lane for over 27 years we have lane can or cart pickup, a prior property ownership with lane service. Fourteen years ago when black carts were put in service with the same notice we had input with the Waste manager, it was agreed cart pickup would remain in lane.

So, the new City Waste-Recycle manager issues a directive what you must do on your property with their waste carts. Remember, you do not own them, you pay a fee. In our analysis of City lanes the majority of black and blue carts remain in the lane (like Calgary). The analysis on safety is foolish as their automated truck has a severe accident exposure on front curb pickup with all types vehicles parked on the curb and travelling also causing vehicle congestion. The lane reduces accident exposure with no vehicles to contend with. Yes, once a winter we contend with heavy snowfalls with near impassable streets, curbs, lanes waiting for days for snow removal, mostly waiting for a chinook or snow removal. Any other problem should be handled by bylaw officers, but is not.

Garbage pickup has always been an arm’s length intrusion. Can the City forcibly force the property owner to handle their City waste carts 35 to 40 feet from and to property from the curb, and if damaged or stolen require the home owner to pay? Wonder what the courts would say.

If a resident is injured handling a waste cart, who pays? The handling of garbage containers or City carts was City employees union jurisdiction.

As suggested, write or email your complaints to City Manager for some kind of property owner conversation to a proper decision on returning carts to lanes.

Ken Ikle

Lethbridge