County eyes compost collection

Mile Plains, or rolled out countywide.

For 7,500 homes in West Hants, the estimated cost per household per year would be $53; for just the Falmouth growth area, $63; for just the Three Mile Plains growth area, about $76.

Thirty-two or 21-gallon green carts could also be considered, with the cost difference being, at most, $3 less per year.

“I think having the whole... rural area grouped in together is probably the better option than going and canvassing different communities,” said Coun. Randy Hussey.

Chief administrative officer Cathie Osborne said it’s up to council to determine the best option.

“If you decide to go West Hants-wide, then we will need to deal with some of the issues that will follow from that – from those that obviously do not believe they would ever need the service being asked to pay for the service,” said Osborne.

On the flip side, Osborne said specific areas could be considered. In that case, the cost could be applied as an area rate, similar to what Hantsport residents currently pay for organic waste collection. Once it’s determined which areas — if any — would be covered, the county would send out public notices or hold a public meeting.

“There is no requirement for them to ask for a vote. The only time a vote is generally put in place is when a petition has come forward to council and then council then goes back out to the larger general public and asks for it,” said Osborne.

But councillors said they were concerned that they haven’t consulted their constituents yet — and they wanted public input before proceeding.

“I don’t know, without doing something formal, how you would get a good understanding of what the entire community as a whole or our entire districts as a whole (feels),” said Coun. Tanya Leopold.

Coun. Jennifer Daniels made a motion instructing staff to organize proper consultations, which passed unanimously.

Osborne expects to have more details in June. Councillors were also informed a decision was needed by September in order to incorporate it into the new municipal waste contract in 2018.

The provincial government banned organic waste and recyclable products from landfills in 1998. As such, all households in West Hants are currently required to backyard compost. Recyclable material, like paper and plastics, is picked up curbside.

Both Windsor and East Hants currently provide residents with organic waste pick up.