The new automated garbage and recycling service begins later this week for single-family dwellings in the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN). Beginning Oct. 1, residents can roll their new carts to the curb on their regularly scheduled pickup day, according to a press release from the RDN.
“The RDN joins cities across North America who have already transitioned to the automated collection system with the aim of improving worker safety, reducing worker health and safety claims and associated costs,” said RDN Chair Ian Thorpe. “By providing all RDN residents with a complete set of easy-to-roll carts, we can all do our part to keep recyclable and organics out of the region’s landfill and achieve our ultimate goal of 90 per cent waste diversion over the next 10 years.”
Residents are reminded that all material must be placed inside their new carts with the lid completely closed. Carts need to have 1m (3ft) of clearance between the carts and any obstacles, such as parked cars, poles and trees and 3m (10ft) of clearance above.
The new collection trucks are Certified Clean Idle and more fuel efficient, according to the release.
Residents who are not satisfied with their cart sizing can contact the RDN’s solid waste team to exchange them. A cart exchange administration fee of $50 per household will apply.
For residents interested in recycling their old collection containers, the RDN recently issued a Request for Proposal for the collection and recycling of the old containers. Program details are anticipated to be available within the next month and pickup of the old collection containers later this year.
Frequently asked questions regarding the new automated curb-side collection service can be found on the RDN website at www.rdn.bc.ca/curbside-collection-faqs. For questions regarding exchanging or replacing a cart or to report a missing or damaged cart, residents can visit www.rdn.bc.ca/curbsideonline.
