UPDATE: Mar 4 2025: WM provides alternate plan for lakeshore communities.
PACA shared a letter outlining citizens’ concerns with ACW Council in preparation for the WM presentation. Just prior to the meeting, some of these concerns were acknowledged in an update that stated that WM had an alternate plan for lakeshore communities. Additional concerns were presented in person to the council at the start of the meeting. Key points from WM presentation regarding lakeshore garbage pickup:
- ‘dumpsters’ would be provided for residents in lieu of ‘pick up points’.
- flexibility for additional pickups if dumpsters were to fill up more quickly since they are picked up by different trucks than the wheelie bins.
- potential for creating locked lids where only appropriate residents would have the code, to prevent them being overfilled by general public
- while the update sent out by ACW stated that the first wheelie cart was free to residents, replacements were the responsibility of the property owner at approximately $100 each. During the presentation the representative stated that damaged carts would be replaced for free, unless the owner admitted to causing the damage.
- you can fit up to 3 regular sized garbage bags in one bin.
- the cause of the missed pickups were staffing turnover and shortages. Switching to automated pick up means that they can widen their search pool to include women and other populations previously unsuited to heavy labour.
In addition to submitting the letter, Mary-Lynne attended the council meeting and asked that council and WM consult with residents about where dumpsters are to be located, and how to manage improper use and overfilling.
Council will be making its decision at its March 18 meeting.
ACW’s garbage collection contract with Waste Management of Canada Corporation (WM) will expire on April 30. The council is currently working on approving a new contract that would transition from the current “bags and tags” system to every-other-week collection using wheelie bins.
A WM representative was scheduled to present at today’s council meeting but had to cancel. The presentation has been rescheduled for the next council meeting on Tuesday, March 4, at 9:00 AM. This presentation is expected to include an alternative proposal specifically for lakeshore areas.
While the cart system offers some benefits, it is primarily designed for urban communities. For lakeshore communities, there are significant challenges to be considered.
Challenges
- Animal security – Are bins designed to prevent tampering by animals.
- Visual impact – Rows of bins at designated pick-up points will be unsightly.
- Accessibility – Transporting bins to pick-up points may be difficult due to distance or terrain.
- Winter road maintenance – Bins may interfere with snowplowing.
- Traffic flow – Bins on narrow roads could restrict vehicles.
- Storage challenges – Many cottage properties lack sufficient space or a garage to store two bins.
- High waste volume – Rental cottages generate large amounts of garbage and may require multiple bins, creating storage issues.
- Weekend visitors – Cottagers who only visit on weekends cannot leave their bins at the curb between visits.
- Costs – While the initial cart is supplied by WM, property owners are charged $100/bin to replace damaged bins.
Benefits
- Large capacity – You can include items that you otherwise have to take to the dump
- Animal security – They are more animal proof than green garbage bags.
- No tags required
- Watch a video of the brief discussion today (Feb 25 – timestamp 10:43) and where Councilor Anita Snobelen brings up concerns about lakeshore properties and wheelie bins.
- Staff report to council where the lack of companies who can quote on the contract and provide these services is mentioned.
- Waste Management of Canada Corporation (WM) proposal to Council with cost. It doesn’t include any mention of lakeshore areas.