Automated garbage trucks similar to this City of Nanaimo vehicle are now collecting garbage, recycling and food waste throughout the mid island region. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Automated collection

Widespread automated garbage rollout hits mid island streets

Oct 1, 2020 | 5:20 AM

NANAIMO — A much discussed switch has taken effect bringing automated garbage collection fo thousands of single-family homes.

Remotely controlled arms are now grabbing recycling and food waste bins weekly, while bi-weekly garbage collection occurs between Cedar and Bowser beginning Thursday, Oct. 1.

Regional District of Nanaimo’s solid waste manager Larry Gardner said a lot of preparation went into the big change away from manual curbside pickup.

“We’re in really good shape, we’re excited to roll it out, but I can say staff are tired, its been a bit of a haul to get to this point,” Gardner said.

Nine trucks and a spare operated by their current contractor to handle the routes weekdays, excluding holidays.

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Gardner said people may notice crews on the roads ahead of the new trucks in the opening days of the service.

“Just to straighten out some of the bin placements to make it easier for the collectors to pick up the bins,” Gardner said. “I think it will take everybody a little bit of a learning curve on where to set them and makes it convenient for collection.”

He said the amount and level of negatively voiced toward RDN staff regarding the change has lowered in recent weeks.

Gardner said a range of complaints, most notably about the size of the bins and their maneuverability have been commonplace.

The RDN recently issued a request for proposals to collect unwanted garbage bins, while homeowners can also contact the RDN to request a new bin size.

Automated garbage pickup is a key aspect of the RDN’s plan to obtain a 90 per cent waste diversion rate by 2030.

The service was introduced in the City of Nanaimo in 2017.

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 about the program can be found here.

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