Illegal dumping and poor participation in the curbside recycling program are two reasons a large recycling bin in Canoe is being removed.
Moving the large bin operated by Emterra from Canoe to Sorrento or Tappen is expected to save the CSRD $21,700, advised waste management co-ordinator Ben Van Nostrand in a Feb. 14 memo to the board.
Van Nostrand said, to date, the bin in Canoe is heavily used, an indication area residents are under-utilizing the curbside service.
“Removing the depot will encourage the use of the more convenient service,” he wrote. “In addition, the Canoe bin is continuously used as an illegal dumping site for garbage, which creates operational and financial implications.”
Salmon Arm director Kevin Flynn agreed there shouldn’t be as much need for a bin in Canoe, but pointed out not everything can be recycled.
“Now they’re gonna have to drive to the other end of Salmon Arm, defeating one of the purposes of the waste management plan,” he said. “What about greenhouse gases from all that driving?”
Van Nostrand pointed out that as returnable beverage containers have to be taken to Bills Bottle Depot, glass and other items not included in the curbside pick-up program could be dropped off at the same time.
Salmon Arm Mayor Marty Bootsma wanted an explanation on the purported $21,700 savings.Van Nostrand explained this is because Emterra is currently having to pick up the bin seven times per month instead of the expected one monthly pick-up.
In their contract with Emterra, CSRD is obligated to maintain the existing number of bins, but the regional district can choose their placement.
“Removing the Canoe bin and placing it in either Sorrento or Tappen will improve service for Sorrento/Tappen, whose residents rely solely on a recycling drop depot,” wrote Van Nostrand in his memo.
Area C director Ted Bacigalupo was pleased to hear the bin will be moved to his electoral area because of the current high usage of existing bins get.