When you compare the periods 2005-2008 to more recent figures

2009 to 2011

Town of Oliver garbage weight is down 73% and the Town of Osoyoos 61%

RDOS Electoral Area Curbside Garbage and Recycling collection programs currently provide pickup of two containers of garbage per week. A container is defined as a bag or can up to 190 liters and weighting in total no more than 25 kg.

Additional garbage bags, over the two container limit, can be placed out with ‘Tag-a-Bag’ stickers on them. These stickers are available at local government offices and some stores throughout the RDOS for $1.50 per sticker.

Both the Town of Osoyoos (in 2009) and Town of Oliver (in 2007) have reduced their collection of garbage from two containers to a one container per week limit.

Analysis: Town of Osoyoos and Town of Oliver showed a significant drop in the
average amount of waste collected in the years from 2005 to 2008 (the first 4 years of the service) to the period from 2009 to 2011.

The dramatic drop in the volume of waste collected in Oliver and Osoyoos is not matched in other communities which received similar levels of service over the same time period. Table 1 compares service areas in the same landfill service area and other urban communities. The only difference in service levels between communities is the number of bags collected. Chart 1 below gives a year by year impression of these statistics.

The results of Oliver and Osoyoos indicate that reducing collection of garbage from 2 containers to 1 container limit will result in less waste being collected. Generally with one bag, more material goes towards recycling, composting or yard waste collections as residents are required to consider what materials they place in their garbage. There are year to year fluctuations of waste collected per area but Oliver and Osoyoos have both shown a consistent drop in the amount collected.

A 2010 survey found approximately 80% of respondents put out 1 bag or less per week.

Under the present contract with BFI Canada there is no reduction of collection costs for limiting collection from 2 containers to 1 container. A potential 10% reduction of tipping fees would result in approximately $2 to $2.30 per year saved per home at our current $65 per tonne tipping fee.

Anecdotal discussions with Town of Osoyoos and Oliver staff showed there was a small vocal
opposition at first, but that generally residents have accepted the one bag limit. The initial concern was that the reduction to one container collection was an unreasonable drop in service. Currently complaints come from residents moving from other jurisdictions which have higher garbage limits. Town Staff did state there was a small rush of ‘Tag-a-Bag’ stickers sold around the time of the change but that sales normalized quickly. Anecdotally, Town Staff found that Tag-a-Bag sales increase in the summer and that young families and other large households bought more tags.

Different areas will continue to collect different amounts of waste per home. Factors affecting average amounts of waste include number of residents per home, unreported secondary suites and access to recycling services. Median age is an indicator of the number of young families in a community which correlates the number of residents per home and number of disposable diapers (a potential addition of weight per home!). The results show that the higher the median age the less waste collected.

Staff recommend that any Rural Director considering reducing collection of garbage to one container arrange to meet with the Public Works Department in January or early February. Rural Directors can also discuss service levels for yard waste and any other changes to the rural curbside collection service. Any program changes are recommended for commencement July 1st, 2013 which coincides with the end of the current collection calendar.

source RDOS report to Thursday’s meeting.