Port Moody residents will be getting monthly curbside glass pick-up, likely starting early in the new year.
Glass hasn't been picked up in PoMo since Multi-Material BC (MMBC) took over residential recycling programs across B.C. in May, a move that left it up to Moody residents to bring their glass recyclables to facilities in Coquitlam.
(Glass is picked up in separate containers in Coquitlam while Port Coquitlam residents have long taken their glass to a depot for recycling.)
"With the change to glass recycling, the city received dozens of complaints in May and June of 2014," notes a staff report presented at Tuesday's PoMo council meeting.
More complaints were received later in the summer, prompting council to ask staff to report back on a public consultation program, an interim glass drop-off location and monthly curbside glass collection.
PoMo's staff report notes that in 2011, glass recycling made up just 2% of the 200,000 tonnes of packaging recycled across B.C., including packing and printed paper.
"Glass containers have been declining as glass is replaced by lighter and cheaper packaging materials," the report states. "The MMBC program will likely accelerate this declining trend as more residents become accustomed to taking glass to depots."
PoMo residents generate about 114 tonnes of glass recycling each year (or about 10 kg per household, based on 11,338 households). Each household is estimated to generate less than 1 kg of glass per month, or about four to six containers.
Council agreed residents wanted a return to curbside pick-up but debated the necessary frequency and the need for extensive - and likely pricey - public consultation on the issue.
Coun. Gerry Nuttall said with so little glass generated, a better pick-up schedule would be every two to three months. Coun. Rick Glumac agreed, suggesting a town hall meeting to gauge what residents would like to see.
Placing a referendum question on the ballot for the Nov. 15 civic election was also discussed but staff said strict regulations on allowable wording would make it difficult to solicit feedback on glass pick-up frequency and depot locations.
Additional options, such as a phone survey (projected to cost $17,000), online feedback or focus groups, would take anywhere from seven to 15 weeks just to get the results, after which it would likely still be four to five months before implementation.
"It's a pity that at some point we didn't just start with monthly pick-up," said Coun. Zoe Royer. "With every delay, another four to five months passes and residents have no options."
Council agreed to forego the public consultation and, instead, incorporate public feedback on the schedule once curbside collection is in place.
The staff report considered three curbside collection options:
Option 1 - monthly pick-up on Fridays using existing recycling trucks at an annual cost of $273,740 (increase in utility rates for curbside accounts $24.14 per year, $18/year for multi-family accounts);
Option 2 - monthly pick-up on regular collection day at an annual cost of $271,450 (utility rate increase of $29/year for curbside, $18/year for multi-family);
and Option 3 - collection every six months with an annual cost of $53,550 (utility rate increase of $6/year for curbside, $4/year for multi-family).
Council opted for Option 2, with service expected to begin by March 1.
As well, interim drop-off depots will be established at Fire Hall #2 in Glenayre and the Heritage Mountain community centre, with three to four more waiting for confirmation. The annual cost of $12,600 to maintain the depots is expected to add $1.11 to each household's utility rate.
