Garbage collection woes continue in townships

WATERLOO REGION — Garbage collection in the townships is likely to take up to an extra day as crews deal with the increased holiday waste and extreme cold.

Waste collection in Waterloo Region’s cities has generally continued according to the holiday schedule, delayed by one day this week and last.

But staying on track in the rural townships has been a challenge with the extra distance to cover.

“In the townships, they’re that much farther apart,” Cari Rastas Howard, project manager of waste management programs. “It’s all that extra driving and it all adds up.”

Also, in extreme cold weather like the region has recently been experiencing, garbage collectors require regular breaks from working outside to warm up.

“Everybody has to take extra breaks,” Rastas Howard said of the provincial requirements.

Crews have been able to compensate in the cities by working longer days, but the greater travel distances in the townships means collection can’t be completed within a day, even with longer hours.

Driving is also worse on rural roads with blowing and drifting snow, and a couple trucks are also out of commission due to the cold weather.

Elmira, in particular, was a challenge because its collection day is Friday, and there was a snowball effect with the collection woes.

There were reports no garbage had been picked up in Elmira since mid-December, but Rastas Howard said it seemed unduly long because garbage pickup had already been two weeks earlier according to the region’s alternate week collection schedule when the holiday delays hit.

All garbage was collected in Elmira by Wednesday, she said.

The townships that were behind do not have garbage collection this week, only recycling and green bins, which should help crews catch up.

It’s hoped collection will be back to normal next week.

“We’ve heard from so many residents who are being supportive and understanding,” Rastas Howard said.

However, she added it’s not acceptable that service is behind. Penalties are built into the contract if pickup isn’t completed within a day, and also to ensure proper collection of each stream.

“It’s in their best interest to get back on track as well,” she said of the companies contracted by the region.

Extra trucks are on the routes and they’re working to get more. Some may be equipped to just pick up one stream, which means not all garbage may be picked up at the same time.

That’s why it may take up to two days for all types of waste to be collected in the townships.

“It’s just been confusing for people and we apologize. We are trying to do our best,” Rastas Howard said.

Separate trucks will go around for Christmas tree collection, which started this week. The Christmas tree collection was scheduled for two weeks, but it may be extended depending on how collection is going.

“Christmas trees are the lowest priority item,” she said.

Trees collected during this special pickup are chipped and turned into compost.