Salmon Arm residents will soon have more options for curbside pickup of waste and recycling collection.
In November 2024, city council awarded SCV Contractors Corporation (SCV Waste Solutions) a seven-year contract to provide Salmon Arm's curbside collection service for garbage, recycling, compost and yard waste.
With the new contract, set to begin on July 1, council also approved a change to the frequency of the city's yard waste collection program. In 2026, this will go from a bi-annual to a monthly service, between April and November, with additional yard waste collection dates beginning this September.
To accommodate these and other changes, at its Apri 14 meeting council supported several amendments to the city's curbside collection bylaw.
One of those amendments had to do with dwelling types that meet the city’s definition/criteria to receive the curbside collection service.
City engineer and service delivery management coordinator Jennifer Wilson explained bare land stratas and mobile home parks fell under the bylaw's definition of curbside households. However, such developments can come with "access conditions which can create operational issues; specifically, sufficient space for container set-out and collection, and enclosed storage to prevent wildlife access tend to be a challenge with these types of developments." As an amendment, staff proposed bare land stratas and mobile home parks be removed from the definition, and instead be required to opt-in. Staff would then review the development to ensure they meet the criteria to receive service.
Stratas and mobile home parks currently receiving the service remain included in the program.
Staff also proposed excluding accessory dwelling units (suites).
"This flexibility will allow for owners to either share for one set of bins should they so choose or to opt in for multiple bins if desired," said Wilson.
Another amendment was to support the op-in application process, through which owners of properties with suites could apply to receive a separate service (and bins), for the accessory dwelling.
"Extending service to multiple units on a property where feasible to do so maximizes the flexibility and reach of the program," reads a staff report to council. "It also increases the level of service for these properties by reducing the need for property owners or tenants to purchase bag tags for food waste or garbage that exceed the collection limits."
Applications for suites will be reviewed by staff to determine if it meets city and Recycle BC criteria to receive the service. If so, the curbside collection fee will be applied to the property for each suite.
