RDN solid waste manager Larry Gardner said their staff have been overwhelmed lately with questions, including some belligerent, profanity-laden tirades about the switch to automated garbage pick-up. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

Trash talk

RDN staff slammed by automated garbage anger, possible assault under police investigation

Aug 27, 2020 | 5:31 AM

NANAIMO — Phone lines and tempers are heating up as automated garbage bins are delivered to 30,000 mid island households.

The Regional District of Nanaimo’s solid waste manager Larry Gardner said complaints about the switch from a manual to automated service surged in recent weeks.

“People are surprisingly quite belligerent using very strong language. I’ve been surprised at the ferocity at some of the people calling in that have objections to the changes,” Gardner told NanaimoNewsNOW.

He said nearly 2,000 phone calls and emails with questions and comments about automated garbage pick-up taking effect this fall were made to the RDN last week alone. He said an estimated 20 per cent of inquiries caused negative experiences for staff on the receiving end of unnecessary confrontation.

“I’m concerned about the abusive language and level of hostilities people are showing,” Gardner said.

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Frustration over collecting garbage, recycling and organic waste boiled over recently in Qualicum Beach.

An Oceanside RCMP police report revealed a “possible assault” occurred on Aug. 20 at a Crescent Rd. West home.

An enraged home owner allegedly threw one of the new bins at a driver who just delivered them. It’s unclear if the driver was injured or actually struck, according to the report.

Gardner said complaints have ranged from people unsatisfied in general about the pending service delivery change, to people not happy about the size of their newly delivered bins.

Cost is also a concern for some, according to Gardner, who noted collection rates on average will rise roughly $20 to $175 annually.

He said the RDN embarked on a comprehensive and lengthy public education campaign about moving to automated garbage pick-up.

“We had a very, very strong response from our community…that we make sure the people doing the work is being done the safest way possible with the lowest injury rates,” Gardner said.

Gardner said the RDN is currently formulating a plan to collect old, unwanted bins which can’t be used by the new automated trucks.

The RDN has a 10-year renewable contract in place with Waste Connections of Canada to provide automated garbage, recycling and compost collection between Cedar and Bowser, excluding the City of Nanaimo starting Oct. 1.

More information on the looming change in the RDN is available here.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes