Edmonton proposes new garbage plan
City looks to divert 90 per cent of waste, but model comes with higher price tag
EDMONTON The way Edmonton households get rid of garbage may change by next fall with the city eyeing the more costly introduction of automated collection and a four-part waste separation plan which aims to divert up to 90 per cent of waste as it works toward a zero-waste model.
That’s the recommendation put forward by the city in its comprehensive 25-year waste management strategy released Tuesday.
“These actions will help build a more sustainable and resilient future for all Edmontonians in part by placing emphasis on waste reduction rather than diversion,” said city branch manager of waste services Michael Labrecque.
“Overall, the recommendations are really positive and if the ultimate goal is getting back to that 90 per cent diversion from landfill and then ultimately to a zero waste model, what I see in the report so far is really positive,” said Coun. Michael Walters.
But it will come at a cost for about 27,000 multi-resident homes to bring the rate in line with the single-unit curbside pickup service they’ve been receiving.
These residents will see a monthly rate increase of $16.48 to transition from the monthly residential bin collection utility rate of $30.60 to the residential curbside rate of $47.08, expected to phase in over five years beginning in 2020 to “avoid rate shock,” says the report.
The current classification of customers is separated into singleand multi-units, meaning even some town houses with curbside pickup pay the lower rate.
There are about 180,000 multiunit residences in Edmonton.
“Mother Earth doesn’t distinguish between single occupancy houses and multi-unit houses and commercial and industrial and institutional,” said Walters.
“So all of those producers of waste are going to have to be involved and do their part.”
The rate increase for these homes is expected to result in a $5-million revenue increase, used to fund operating and capital requirements.
The single-family rate will also increase for all clients by 2.5 per cent per year until 2022.
“The city can’t do what 480,000 households can do in terms of separating waste,” said Labrecque.
New carts would be rolled out to meet the needs of the new garbage truck pickup system, operated by a mechanism without the need for a worker to get out of the vehicle.
That will mean a new set of rules for residents along with two regulated bin sizes, 120L or 240L, to choose from.
In the pilot areas, the city is seeing “very high” participation from residents at about 75 per cent, said Labrecque. It aims to reach 90 per cent participation through public education and outreach campaigning that would roll out in advance of the change.
“We’ve seen that Edmontonians are passionate about waste management and have a desire to get it right,” said Lebrecque. “And we’re confident that our recommendations can help achieve that goal.”
The strategy also lays out plans to “develop regulations by September 2020 to support the elimination or restriction of single-use plastics and some disposables in Edmonton by January 2021,” said Lebrecque. He added that this plan would be aligned with federal plans to ban single-use plastics, and industry would be consulted.
Organic waste separation — which Edmonton has lagged behind on as several surrounding municipalities already launching compost pickup — will also be part of the plan under the proposed bylaw that will come before council’s utility committee next Thursday.
These actions will help build a more sustainable and resilient future for all Edmontonians.