Squamish residents can now help divert waste from the local landfill by putting their food scraps and yard waste curbside.
Residents who currently receive residential garbage collection will now get a wildlife-resistant 65-gallon container, or tote, for food scraps and yard waste.
This is in addition to the garbage and recycling containers. Starting in May, collection will occur every two weeks on the same day as recycling is collected.
There is a cost to the new program.
The 2015 Solid Waste Utility fees will increase to cover the additional costs of the organics collection program, according to district staff.
The fee will include garbage, recycling and organics collection.
The May to December solid waste utility charge will be based on the size of garbage container residents choose. Fees are $185 for a small (35-gallon) container, $212 for medium (65 gallon), which is what most residents currently have, or $289 for a larger (95-gallon), container.
The cost in 2014 was a single rate of $160 for pick up of garbage and recycling containers plus seasonal yard waste collection. In 2013, the rate was $145 for garbage and recycling pick up only.
The Solid Waste Utility is revenue neutral, according to the district, and fees are set to cover the cost of providing solid waste services.
The new organics program will cost about $44 per residence for Carney’s Waste Systems to implement, so about $254,807 a year for the district. This does not include other program costs such as district staff time, communication materials, and the cost to transport the organics to Pemberton.
Residents currently receiving garbage and recycling collection cannot opt out of the organics collection, according to the district.
Residents can choose their garbage container size until March 16.
Those happy with their current container don’t need to notify the district. After March 16, container size changes will be permitted only once a year.
Starting Jan.1, 2016, there will be a $25 cost to change container sizes.
If current trends continue, the Squamish landfill is expected to reach its full capacity in 2018.
The new program was passed by council on Oct. 7, 2014.
“Reducing the amount of food waste being landfilled makes good environmental sense on a variety of levels,” Mayor Patricia Heintzman said via email. “Not only is the organics program expected to significantly reduce the volume of waste taken to the landfill, it will also contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gases resulting from a reduction in organic decomposition.
Landfill gas produced from food scraps is considered a contributor to greenhouse gases.”
To choose a new container, go to squamish.ca/totesize.
