Icy roads are causing havoc for garbage and recycling collection with trucks unable to navigate many area streets. (submitted photo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

WASTE COLLECTION

RDN garbage collection delayed due to icy roads, City proceeding carefully

Jan 4, 2022 | 10:46 AM

NANAIMO — A growing collection of holiday household garbage and the giant box your new flat screen TV came in will have to stay put a little while longer.

A freeze-melt cycle on area roads is making it impossible for trucks to safely make collections, forcing the Regional District of Nanaimo to pause pickups on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

Larry Gardner, manager of solid waste for the RDN, told NanaimoNewsNOW they will get out as soon as it’s safe to do so.

“Crews were out this morning, they weren’t really able to get anywhere so the drivers have been waiting to see if we can get out. I’m hoping we might be able to get some collection [Tuesday] afternoon, but we haven’t made a determination on that yet.”

The RDN published an updated bulletin on Monday, Jan. 3 advising collections in Lantzville, Snaw-naw-as First Nation, Nanoose Bay, East Wellington, Pleasant Valley, Extension and Nanaimo Lakes would proceed.

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Conditions mean the planned schedule is on hold.

Gardner said if collections on Tuesday don’t happen, the schedule will be pushed back a day, with those due on Tuesday being first priority on Wednesday, Jan. 5.

“The trucks driving on these roads, it’s just way too high of a risk to be trying to negotiate garbage trucks on these kinds of icy conditions.”

Planned collections for the Regional District, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 4, will likely be delayed as a result of continued treacherous road conditions. (RDN)

He suggested residents leave bins out until at least 5 p.m. on their scheduled collection day before bringing them back in.

If materials inside aren’t collected, return them to the curb the following day.

The RDN will be prioritizing garbage and recycling collection and will be delaying green waste pickup for the time being.

The City of Nanaimo are facing similar challenges, however, they are resuming collections on Tuesday.

Taaj Daliran, City manager of sanitation, told NanaimoNewsNOW they expect to collect refuse from between 60 to 70 per cent of homes this week.

Homes on narrow roads or cul de sacs will face additional delays.

A notice published on the City’s website said crews are moving at a slower pace than usual.

“Due to snow and ice build-up creating slick and sometimes narrow roadways, pickup will only happen where it is safe to do so,” the notice read. “The City recognizes the need for residents to be safe as well; if you don’t feel safe taking your carts to the curb, please don’t.”

Those who get missed, either with trucks unable to navigate or people electing to keep bins in, will be able to put another bag of garbage and recycling out on their next scheduled pickup days.

Extra garbage bags should be placed one metre behind or to the side of the black bin. The bag can be any size, provided it would fit into the cart. Additional recycling should be in an easy to empty container.

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