Plastic recycling bags need to be removed by hand will wrap around sorting equipment. As a result, the regional district will no longer allow them, starting in 2020. (Contributed photo)

 

Dale Boyd

Osoyoos Times

Blue, single-use plastic bags for recycling collection will no longer be accepted as of July 1, 2020 due to the Town of Osoyoos’ partnership with Recycle BC.

Town council now has to decide whether to purchase reusable containers or rent through a contractor.

Should the town purchase and supply approximately 2,000 reusable bins, there would be ongoing costs for damaged, stolen or replaced bins which would create an ongoing expenses for the town.

The 121 litre, round blue containers with a lid for each property would cost $110,000 upfront for the town ($55 for a single container) with an estimated yearly operating budget of $45,000.

The waste collection contractor the town currently uses has the option to rent waste disposal containers, which would have an upfront cost of $48,000 to $60,000 to the town, with an ongoing rental cost of $24 to $30 a year for residents for recycling bins only.

“It would be at the community’s cost but there would be no ongoing maintenance requirements,” said Jared Brounstein, director of operational services, at the Dec. 16 committee of the whole.

Town staff are recommending renting through a contractor, with less upfront costs to the muncipality, but ongoing costs to residents in single-family properties who use the service.

A survey saw 62 per cent of 157 respondents show a desire for town-supplied bins over resident-supplied bins, however both options before town council would see the town providing the bins either through rental or purchase.

“The public would like to see us pay for them. I think, if you think long-term, it becomes cheaper long-term for our residents (to purchase the bins) than having to come up with $25 to $30 each year for the rest of their lives,” said Coun. Jim King.

Coun. CJ Rhodes noted waste collection in communities around B.C. is moving towards containers that are lifted by automated systems. Should the town purchase bins, they would support the automated lifting apparatus should the town’s waste collectors move to automated systems in the future.

“I think it might be very, very important to invest in the future technology of it. If we stay the course and do what’s necessary today and require a huge investment in the future, and waste collection changes because of legislation from WorkBC, I think it would be very, very important for us to have a vision of the future,” Rhodes said. “I feel very confident it will change in the future.”

A future move to full automation of waste collection services would also require three bins for different waste types, incurring further costs to the town.

Town council will vote on their preference, solely for providing recycling bins for single-family residences, likely in early 2020.