Recycling pickup service for multi-family and apartment buildings in Courtenay is underway.
The City of Courtenay has delivered blue Toter bins to participating buildings across the city, allowing them to access the same bi-weekly recycling pickup service as residential homes. Their first recycling pickup took place last week.
Allan Gornall, the City’s sustainability planner, says the service will make recycling more convenient for residents.
“With the loss of many of the recycling drop-off points in Courtenay in recent years, we wanted to ensure everyone still had access,” said Gornall. “This service will make it easier for people to take care of their recycling at home.”
The Toters accept the same materials as the existing residential Blue Box program.
Buildings were notified in June about the Toter program. So far, 86 buildings representing over 2,100 individual units have signed up. The City is offering free Toters to buildings that sign up by Dec. 31, along with free pickup until the end of this year.
Buildings that wait until after 2013 to sign up would need to pay for the Toters themselves at an estimated cost of $90 apiece.
Property managers wishing to receive their free Toters and start recycling pickup service should contact Gornall at 250-334-4441 or e-mail agornall@courtenay.ca. The City will deliver one Toter for every six units.
“We need to hear from the property managers for these buildings before we can deliver the Toters,” noted Gornall. “They need to ensure they have sufficient space for them, and we have to work together to find a storage location that works for both the residents and the recycling service provider.”
Starting in 2013, all multi-family buildings will be charged for the service, with fees estimated at $17 per unit annually. The funds will be used to offset the cost of the program.
Residents whose buildings haven’t received Toters are advised to contact their building manager to follow up.
To get more details on what materials are recyclable, or to find out the waste pickup schedule for your area, visit www.courtenay.ca, then click on the Residents drop down menu, then Recycling and Garbage.
“More accessible recycling should lead to greater participation,” advised Gornall. “This program has the potential to divert hundreds of tonnes of waste from the landfill each year.”
— City of Courtenay