By Connie Tabbert
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION — The landfill site in Whitewater Region could have a longer life if more people would reduce, reuse and recycle.
Environmental Services Manager Steve Hodson spoke to the environmental services committee regarding various landfill site issues at last week’s meeting.
He would like to encourage people to use the curbside program within the township. The curbside pic-up for garbage is each week and recycling pick-up every two weeks. The garbage must be in a yellow township bag, which costs $3
The fee to bring garbage to the landfill is based on .50 cents per cubic foot, he said. For some who come to the landfill each week, the cost is less than $5. Recyclables from township residents cannot be brought to the landfill site.
In his report, Mr. Hodson wrote: Increased traffic and congestion during operating hours of course results in: greater impact on on-site roads, greater pollution through fuel consumption and inefficiencies, site staff operating too quickly/not effectively to move traffic through and perhaps a movement or pattern of residents underutilizing the yellow bag curb-side collection system.
Mr. Hodson wanted to know if the committee wanted to incorporate a flat fee, which means any vehicle bringing in garbage is charged the same fee unless it surpasses the minimum threshold and would then be charged accordingly, or a per bag fee, which would be $3.
Explaining what charging a per bag fees means, he said a pick-up truck filled with garbage /garbage bags will be charged $15 due to it being charged at 50 cents per cubic foot while the next vehicle, which has only five bags, would also be charged $15 based on the new $3 per bag fee.
He’s hoping by charging the per bag fee, people would be encouraged not to come to the landfill site until they have a full load or use the curbside service which everyone pays for now.
Coun. Trimm said the ultimate goal is to reduce traffic at the landfill site.
“I suspect there are people who come to the site regularly,” Coun. Trimm said. “I would suggest writing them a letter explaining to them our problem.”
This practice is costing everybody money, he added.
The committee agreed to recommend to council, and it agreed to the recommendation at yesterday’s council meeting, that it revert back to charging $3 a bag at the landfill site starting mid-July. It is also recommending the fee to drop off a refrigerated appliance increase immediately to $20, which will cover the cost of making it chemical-free.
Following the meeting, Mr. Hodson noted the cost of curbside pick-up is covered by the cost of paying for the yellow garbage bags. However, as the number of yellow bags purchased decreases, this will no longer occur. The trend over the past three years shows the number of yellow bags being sold each year is declining by about 2,000.
Mr. Hodson said he’s hopeful people will understand why the rate change is being incorporated, which is to encourage people to use the curbside system, which they are paying for by purchasing a yellow bag.
“It’s not a perfect system, but it’s what we have to work with,” he said.
