Nanaimo has expanded beyond what the current waste collection system can handle, but introducing a new route isn't easy. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

waste collection

More waste from Nanaimo homes leads to delay in new garbage route

Jun 30, 2020 | 5:32 AM

NANAIMO — Families staying home more due to the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting how waste collection services expand in Nanaimo.

Taaj Daliran, manager of sanitation, told NanaimoNewsNOW changing data means staff don’t have enough reliable information to properly add a new garbage route, which has been discussed since automated waste collection was implemented in 2017.

“Because of the pandemic many things changed, like what we’re collecting and the volume. Based on that, I need to do more analysis and collect more data before we make any changes to the routes.”

Collection data from the first five months of 2020, compared to last year, showed more than 260 extra tonnes of garbage was collected along the nine existing routes.

Daliran said the amount of recycling and organics being picked up has increased along a similar trend.

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The data collected will show whether waste volumes stay high as companies keep employees working from home, or if they will return to normal levels as Nanaimo recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are currently up to 10 waste collections trucks on nine routes.

“We need to put more vehicles on existing routes we have to be able to deal with the extra volume of material we’re collecting,” Daliran said.

Borrowing for a new truck was approved earlier this year.

Daliran said waste collection crews have noticed unfortunate trends in recent weeks, such as waste bins not properly set out at the curb and more contamination between garbage, recycling and organics.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt