Grey Highlands is holding a couple of information sessions this week on its blue box recycling and waste collection program.
The sessions can be attended on Aug. 17 and 18 and follows a previous report by Environmental Compliance Specialist Jenn Eagan on July 27 to the committee of the whole. It recommended awarding the request for proposal (RFP) for the program.
This comes as council received a report in mid-February detailing how their current curbside collection contracts for both waste and recycling was going to expire this December. In 2021, staff received notification from its current collection contractor that they would not be extending current contracts.
An RFP was later in May, 2022, and closed June 28.
The report by Eagan recommended awarding weekly curbside collection of waste and bi-weekly curbside collection of recycling to Waste Management of Canada, as well as award bin transfers from Atemesia WDS and Osprey WDS to the same company.
Communications Manager Lindsey Glazier says during the following Aug. 3 council meeting, council deferred recommendations from the committee of the whole until after information sessions were held.
The report says the proposal from Waste Management keeps up with current collection rates, and includes an automated cart system.
Glazier, says these proposed 95 gallon carts, compared to a standard garbage bag of 20 to 40 gallons, would eliminate the bag system.
Bag tags would no longer be accepted for curbside garbage, and a phase-out program would be implemented. The 2022 budget included $35,000 from bag tag revenues.
Glazier adds with the automated cart system, there would still be a driver, but there would be a mechanical arm that would deposit the recycling and waste.
“While the cart system will be a change for our residents, staff believe that it is a positive change,” says the report.
The report says the estimated cost to contract Waste Management, excluding urban leaf pickup, and if waste is diverted, is $1.6 million. If waste is diverted to the landfill at Holland/Markdale, it would be $130,000 less.
The term of contract would be three years, with two optional one year extensions.
Glazier says council will reconvene on Friday for a special council meeting to hear the results of the information sessions and potentially make a decision.
The meetings start at 5 p.m., and can either be attended in person or online. Those who wish to submit questions are required to do so before hand by emailing recycle@greyhighlands.ca. People who wish to watch online, can do so here.
The Aug. 17 meeting will be held at the Osprey Community Arena, and the meeting on the 18 will be at the Centre Grey Recreation Complex.