Waste info session in the works

Issue raised at Argyle council session, East Pubnico councillor suggesting Waste Check meet with residents

The Municipality of Argyle is looking to see how it might help residents with their waste pickups.

The matter was raised at a recent meeting of Argyle council, where Kathy Bourque, council member for the East Pubnico/ Pubnico Head area, suggested a community meeting be arranged with Waste Check.

Recently residents in a number of Yarmouth County villages – including Amirault’s district – had their waste rejected by haulers.

The problem, Waste Check said, was some people were putting things in their green carts that didn’t belong there. Items like plastic were contaminating the compost material.

Another issue was some residents would put their waste bags – recycling bags and garbage bags – in their carts.

In a recent interview, Amy Hillyard, waste reduction coordinator with Waste Check, said they can understand why people would put bags in the bin since it prevents them from blowing around on windy days, but she said this practice can cause problems, so people are asked to keep everything other than compost material out of their bins.

She said people can purchase a container at a local store to put garbage bags and recycling bags in.

At their committee-of-thewhole meeting of Oct. 30, where the topic was discussed, councillors were told there are a number of options that could help address the matter.

Bourque suggested a public session with Waste Check be held in her district. Depending on the response there, similar community meetings might be held in other areas.

Contacted Nov. 7, Hillyard said nothing had been booked yet for East Pubnico but it was being organized.

She said Waste Check wants to help residents any way it can.

“Waste Check provides free education services to community organizations, groups and businesses anytime on any wasterelated topic,” Hillyard said. “We even visit residents to help them out if they prefer that over a phone call. Sorting is a common topic. What goes where?”

She notes Waste Check also provides information through its website and on social media.