THUNDER BAY – Residents may have the option to pay to have more garbage picked up from their curb when the item limit is lowered to two later this year.
In a report going before Thunder Bay city council on Monday, administration is recommending the implementation of a bag tag system that will allow for one additional item to be placed on the curb on collection day for a $2 fee.
During this year’s budget process council voted to reduce the number of items collected at curbside from three to two. That change goes into effect on July 1.
But during that debate, the idea of introducing a fee to allow residences to put out a third item was brought up and administration was later directed to prepare a report.
Jason Sherband, city manager of solid waste and recycling services, said the implementation of a tag system isn’t “reinventing the wheel” with a number of other Ontario municipalities already having similar policies in place.
“The whole point of reducing the item limit, even going up to a tag system, is promoting more diversion. You’re asking people or hoping people will re-evaluate their waste generation habits,” Sherband said. “If you don’t create the waste, you don’t have to manage it down the line.”
Prior to this year, the city’s waste collection item limit was last changed in 1999 when the previous five-item limit was dropped to three.
One item doesn’t necessarily mean just one bag, Sherband said.
“An item of garbage is the contents of one can, as long as that can does not exceed the 40-pound weight limit,” Sherband said. “Or if you’re not using a can and just putting a can at the curb, then that bag is considered an item.”
The report also recommends the continuation of a medical exemption allowing for two free additional items. That exemption would only be granted with a doctor’s note.
As well, a holiday exemption would allow three items to be picked up for free on the first collection day following New Year’s Day and Labour Day.
It is recommended the tags be sold in packs of five for a $10 cost. Initially, they would be available at city hall, Victoriaville Civic Centre, branches of the Thunder Bay Public Library and EcoSuperior, with other locations to be considered.
Sherband said the item limit reduction and a tag system for additional item collection are considered Ontario best practices for diversion. While he didn’t have a dollar amount, both of those modifications would result in an increase in funding from the province.
