Calgary's system similar but more costly
Iwasinterested to readtony Fellingham’s letter onjanuary 12 where he argues awaste collection system like that used in Calgary, Canada would be moreappropriate for Tauranga than the system proposed by Tauranga City Council.
Calgary does have a well-run waste system that sees it ranked as one of the world’s cleanest cities.
But it seems things have changed sincetonylived there. Calgarynow runs awaste collection system virtually identical to that proposed by Tauranga City Council.
Like here, its system is basically one size fits all and it’s compulsory for all residents. To quote the Calgary council’s website, “Research hasshown that optional municipal programs cost more, have a lower participation rate and do not achieve thesame level of diversion as universal programs.”
Further, Calgary delivers this service at a substantially higher cost to its residents than the system being introduced here.
In Calgary, all residents pay a minimumof C$292 each year (equivalent to about $320). Higher waste producers pay more.
This is almost $100moreexpensive than the cost to residents in Tauranga - anincredible savingwhenyou consider Calgary has 1million residents and so benefits from substantial economies of scale compared to us.
Perhapsweshould be a littlemore grateful for aworld-class service at a world-beating price?
Maurice Prendergast Tauranga South
Listen to the people
I agree with John Bindon’s letter re rubbish bins (January 7). Inmyview our forced-out councillors did not listen to ratepayers. Our only hope on this issue is the government-appointed commissioners, andwecan only hope they listen.
Grahamholloway Gate Pa