Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
TIM SMITH / BRANDON SUN FILE Enlarge Image
Garbage and recycling bins in back lanes will be more tightly regulated, under a new city bylaw.
Garbage collection services could move to a four-day pickup cycle and residents will have to move their bins out of their back lanes if Brandon’s solid waste bylaw is changed.
City council approved on Monday the first of three readings required to turn these changes into law.
"The biggest change is ensuring the bins are out of the lanes," said Ian Broome, the city’s public works director.
"Esthetically, we’ll look a lot better and efficiency wise, we’ll do a lot better. We won’t be picking up empty containers as we have found there are 30 to 40 per cent of the containers that don’t have to be picked up. In some cases, it’s as high as 50 per cent."
The new bylaw will force those with back lane garbage service to remove their bins from the lanes within 24 hours of their garbage pickup and store them on their own property.
Those who don’t comply with the law will be responsible for all the issues that causes and for any damage to the bins that result. Fees will also be charged for recycling bins that are contaminated with regular garbage.
The increased efficiency will also enable sanitation staff to pick up garbage on a standardized four-day cycle from Tuesday to Friday.
Garbage would also occasionally be picked up on either a Monday or a Saturday, to accommodate statutory holidays city staff are prohibited from working, such as Remembrance Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
"I think to help with the back lanes, going to a four-day cycle is going to be huge because people will know it will either be a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday pickup," Broome said. "In order to make this work, this helps homeowners too, I feel."
Broome said it is possible these changes could take effect as early as October, and there will be a blitz of information released about the new plan before it takes effect.
Councillors had some questions about the new plan, such as whether seniors who are unable to move their bins themselves would be fined.
Broome said there are provisions in the law that assist seniors. If they secure a doctor’s note and fill out the appropriate paperwork with the department of public works, city staff will move their bins instead.
Garbage collection rules will also crack down on those who overfill their bins, as sometimes garbage bags will fall out on to the lane while they are being hoisted for disposal. Broome said those bins will not be emptied under the new bylaw.
» kborkowsky@brandonsun.com
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition June 12, 2012
We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.
You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.
The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Garbage collection services could move to a four-day pickup cycle and residents will have to move their bins out of their back lanes if Brandon’s solid waste bylaw is changed.
City council approved on Monday the first of three readings required to turn these changes into law.
Already subscribed? Login to view full article.
Not yet a subscriber? Click Here to Signup
Garbage collection services could move to a four-day pickup cycle and residents will have to move their bins out of their back lanes if Brandon’s solid waste bylaw is changed.
City council approved on Monday the first of three readings required to turn these changes into law.
A subscription to the Brandon Sun Newspaper is required to view this article. Please update your user information if you are already a newspaper subscriber.
Most Popular
Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 2 Comments
You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Posted by:dswayze
June 12, 2012 at 12:45 PM
Although the four day schedule is an improvement, the decision to force people to remove bins from the back lane is ridiculous. Your own photo proves the point that in the winter time the snow banks make it impossible to properly place the bins in the lanes. Unless the City plans on clearing both the lanes and the snow banks in the lanes, this process only works if you stake out your spot in the lane before the snow falls and leave it there. Otherwise, you don't have clear ground to place your bin. It is time the City recognized this process for what it is -- a failure, and either accommodates homeowners or looks for a better system. Furthermore, I don't want a filthy bin in my backyard and have no place for it. So in the summer I pull my bins on to my back lane driveway. Am I still going to be held responsible if someone puts garbage in my recycling bin?
Posted by:ACC Library
June 12, 2012 at 8:55 PM
If you keep the bins in your yard like you are supposed to, nobody will put anything in it. And as far as the snow, shovel a spot for your bin like we do. They aren't big bins. Shovelling a spot for them takes an extra two minutes.
I don't understand why people want to resist things like this and cutting the grass on the boulevard. Have a little pride in your city. If we pull together, we can keep it clean and beautiful.