Consulted cities say education, trust keys to successful automated garbage rollout

Penticton public works manager Len Robson said they’ve hurdled over any difficulties since switching out their trucks in 2015.

“For the most part, I think (concerns) have gone away because people realized they had to put their garbage somewhere before anyways, there’s not much difference other than there can’t be a car in front of it,” Robson told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Robson said initially there were numerous questions about bin spacing and concerns about size, but with a substantial educational push they managed to alleviate most concerns.

“It works well and it’s really easy once you start using it. We just had to get people to believe and trust us.”

An educational blitz in Nanaimo is now underway. In recent months staff have been at events answering questions and will next be at the Vancouver Island Exhibition in Beban Park. Curious residents can also test out the new bins at city sites until the end of October (link: https://www.nanaimo.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/sort-toss-roll—automated-curbside-pickup/upcoming-events-and-displays).

So far, Davis said roughly 90 per cent of community feedback has been positive about automated-curbside-pickup after going through what it means for residents.

She said street parking is a major issue they’ve heard, since so many Nanaimo streets are lined with cars and they’re also working on solutions to tighter streets or alleys found in Nanaimo’s core.

A report is being drafted for presentation about various solutions, such as having a corral for bins, but nothing concrete has been presented.

In Prince George, one of the first B.C. cities to automate garbage collection, their period of community concern lasted approximately two years before everyone was on board, according to manager of parks and solid waste services Sean LeBrun.

“We had residents who were absolutely opposed to it and weren’t going to participate no matter what and they’re not taking a bin. You’ll always have those people who are opposed to it and don’t like change…there’s a lot of excuses why people don’t want to get involved.”

LeBrun said spacing requirements and where to put the bins was the major issue, but the number of complaints quickly dwindled to nothing once residents were used to it.

“People love the system. It’s clean, it’s efficient (and) for a worker it’s a great job because you’re not being exposed to the elements and you’re not worried about needle pokes. There’s so many benefits to it.”

Automated garbage outreach in Nanaimo will happen right until the new trucks are put to use. Davis said homeowners in Central Nanaimo will receive a door hanger reminding them of the change and the bins will be dropped off exactly where they’re supposed to be picked up from, hopefully cutting down on any confusion come the first pickup day.

The three bins for recycling, yard waste and garbage cost roughly $4.5 million to supply, according to a City staff report.

To pay for them, and also the $1.7 million for six new automated garbage trucks, Nanaimo City Council voted to borrow up to $6.2 million over five years.

Garbage rates will increase dramatically in the short-term because of the new system. They already rose to $118 per year in July and will hit $170 per year on Jan 1, 2018.

The City said it’s a stark increase for roughly the first year, but rates will return to only slightly elevated levels going forward.

The new trucks and system are expected to whittle the number of workplace injuries collecting garbage down to zero and save the City hundreds of thousands of dollars in worker compensation.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit

by Spencer Sterritt

Consulted cities say education, trust keys to successful automated garbage rollout

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