Bi-weekly garbage collection in Hamilton under consideration
Published November 4, 2019 at 4:31 pm
Ward 8 councillor John-Paul Danko introduced a motion Monday (Nov. 4) that, if approved, would see Hamilton introduce bi-weekly garbage collection.
Ward 8 councillor John-Paul Danko introduced a motion Monday (Nov. 4) that, if approved, would see Hamilton introduce bi-weekly garbage collection.
The motion, in front of Monday’s Public Works Committee, says that as Hamiltonians are facing significant tax increases in the coming years due to the rising costs of the operation and maintenance of a city recycling facility.
“Hamilton taxpayers are facing significant municipal property tax increases in the following years,” the motion states. “Council is dedicated to identifying savings and efficiencies in waste management.”
In a statement issued Monday morning, Danko assured constituents that the introduction of the motion is intended to explore options for saving money for taxpayers.
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“My intention with this motion is not to open the debate over the merits of bi-weekly landfill waste collection,” he said.
“I am simply asking for Council to provide City staff with the ability to release the next waste collection RFP with an option for an internal City bid and an option for bi-weekly collection of landfill waste.”
He points to the Niagara Region’s adoption of a bi-weekly waste collection program in October, as well as other municipalities like Halton, Waterloo and Ottawa who have similar programs already well underway, as reasons why Hamilton should consider a similar model.
The motion identifies that Hamilton’s waste-diversion rates — the rate that represents the amount of waste that is diverted from landfill for recycling — have remained stagnant over the last few years at between 40 to 50 per cent. Hamilton’s goal is actually 65 per cent.
With bi-weekly waste collection, it’s estimated that the waste diversion rate could improve by approximately five per cent which could ultimately result in a savings of millions for taxpayers.
“It is also important to note that the bi-weekly collection would only apply to landfill waste – all other recycling, yard and organic waste would continue to be collected weekly,” Danko said.
The motion asks that as staff prepare a request for proposals for waste collection services, that they include two options for private sector bids that include weekly and bi-weekly collection services.
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