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Comox launching organic waste pickup pilot project

From coffee grounds to pizza crusts, Comox residents will now have the opportunity to dispose of their household organics curbside.

From coffee grounds to pizza crusts, Comox residents will now have the opportunity to dispose of their household organics curbside.

Council approved a motion Wednesday for organic waste pickup to begin in June, without a proposed $180,000 fee for organic-specific bins.

The cost of the bins previously caused concern for some council members, but organics will be able to co-mingle with yard waste, said Don Jacquest, director of finance for the Town.

The Town would provide residents with labels showing the organic materials that can be added to their yard waste bins on garbage day and will recommend they not be added earlier to avoid attracting pests to the yard waste bins.

Residents are required to have lids for any bins used for co-mingled waste.

In his report to council, Jacquest said in the pilot project — which will last about a year — the Comox Valley Regional District prefers the co-mingled source material, as composting organics alone can be more difficult.

The total estimated cost per household for the pickup of yard waste and organics is estimated to be $26 per year ($14 per household for collection and $14 for additional tipping fees).

Jacquest said the CVRD proposed a reduced charge of $45 per tonne for the co-mingled waste instead of their regular $65 per tonne for yard waste.

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Erin Haluschak

About the Author: Erin Haluschak

Erin Haluschak is a journalist with the Comox Valley Record since 2008. She is also the editor of Trio Magazine...
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