Skip to content

Are the days numbered for the city's free dump week?

THUNDER BAY – For many city residents free week at the city’s landfill is a popular opportunity to do some spring cleaning and dispose of unneeded items.
370794_28830380
(Matt Vis, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY – For many city residents free week at the city’s landfill is a popular opportunity to do some spring cleaning and dispose of unneeded items.

But the annual tradition of no fees for non-commercial and light trucks might soon come to an end, as the city’s long-term Solid Waste Management Strategy calls for the eventual elimination of the weeklong free dumping.

Jason Sherband, city coordinator of waste diversion and recycling, doesn’t anticipate this being the last year for free week.

“We’re certainly not there yet. I think we would have to add some other programs in the community to offset this program. But when you look at it we’re trying to reduce the amount of waste coming out to the site,” he said.

“If we can promote some different programming to offset it I think in the future we would look at modifying or eliminating it…We may look at modifying it but I don’t see it being eliminated in 2016.”

This year’s free week kicked off on Sunday, with more than 500 vehicles making the trip to the Mapleward Road facility on the opening day.

The landfill was busy again on Monday, with lineups waiting to enter the dump site.

The week is running alongside the city’s Spring Up to Clean Up campaign, which encourages residents to try to beautify their areas.
“The intent is to enable people to clean up their yards and give them the opportunity to dispose of that material for free,” Sherband said.
Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service are meeting traffic outside to ensure loads are covered and secured.

Traffic Sgt. Glenn Porter said officers are pleased with what they’ve seen so far.

“We’re finding a lot more people are complying with the law…We’re seeing a huge improvement over previous years,” Porter said.

“It’s an educational process. I think people are starting to get the message and starting to understand their responsibilities. They’re taking the extra 15 to 20 minutes to tie it down and make sure it’s safe.”

Porter added the fine is $160 for people who fail to secure and cover their load.

Staff from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore will be on site throughout the week, accepting donations of unwanted but still usable items.
This year’s free week runs until Sunday.


 





push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks