As of Monday, there will one organization in charge of recycling for the entire province. But how the Multi-Material BC service is handled in the Tri-Cities depends on where you live.
In a effort to make the new program easier for residents, The Tri-City News contacted each of the five municipalities as well as MMBC to see how the recycling collection will work locally.
COQUITLAM
1. When does the MMBC program start in your city? July 2.
2. Who is in charge of the recycling collection for single-family homes? MMBC and it has selected Smithrite Disposal to collect curbside recycling in Coquitlam.
3. How are multi-family housing complexes being served? Multi-family buildings that select one of MMBC's collectors will offset the cost of recycling collection. Buildings can negotiate directly with Smithrite Disposal, Emterra Environmental or Waste Control Services Inc.
4. What changes, if any, will your residents see in their recycling service? Starting in mid-May, residents will receive a new, light blue box to separate glass for curbside collection starting July 2. Recycling will continue to be collected on the same day as garbage and other waste collection.
5. What is NOT included for the recycling collection and how do residents dispose of these items? A list of materials accepted in MMBC's program is available at: recyclinginbc.ca/program/mmbc-materials-list.
6. Where will the recyclables go once collected? On an annual basis, MMBC will be required to provide a third-party assessment (e.g., from an external auditor) regarding the end-of-life management, including final disposition of the materials within the MMBC system.
7. If a resident is dissatisfied with the recycling service, who do they call? MMBC has selected Smithrite Disposal to collect curbside recycling in Coquitlam. Residents can contact Smithrite at 604-529-4011.
8. What impact will the new recycling program have on taxes/taxpayers? Coquitlam's new solid waste program resulted in a 20% savings on the 2014 garbage utility rate; however, with MMBC now managing the recycling portion of the waste collection, recycling will be a free service for Coquitlam residents. The cost for recycling will be the responsibility of the producers who create these materials.
PORT COQUITLAM
1. When does the MMBC program start in your municipality? May 19.
2. Who is in charge of the recycling collection for single-family homes? The city's engineering and operations is the lead department responsible for the provision of recycling services.
3. How are multi-family housing complexes being served? Multi-family complexes currently receiving recycling collection services from the city will continue to be serviced. The transition should be seamless; services will be provided per the 2014 Solid Waste Collection Schedule. The city will continue to work with multi-family complexes to encourage participation in this new program. We are only a phone call away and would ask residents to call 604-927-5496 or 5488 for more information.
4. What changes, if any, will your residents see in their recycling service? The list of materials accepted will be expanded to include such items as gable-top milk cartons, foam containers and packaging, plastic plant pots, aluminum packaging and certain types of film packaging and drink cups. Residents can visit the city's website at portcoquitlam.ca/mmbcn for details and specific information regarding the materials that are accepted.
5. What is NOT included for the recycling collection and how do residents dispose of these items? Glass, soft and hard-covered books, foil gift wrap, cardboard boxes with wax coatings, paint and lubricant containers, spray cans, foam peanuts and metal hardware are some examples of materials that are not accepted. Please refer to the city's website at portcoquitlam.ca/recycling or the RCBC hotline 1-800-667-4321, or check Recyclepedia for additional information.
6. Where will the recyclables go once collected? Materials are transported to a material-recovery facility and are subsequently sorted, baled and shipped to be processed into pelletized chips for manufacturing purposes. Products such as auto parts, clothing, furniture and other goods are manufactured using recycled materials.
7. If a resident is dissatisfied with the recycling service, who do they call? Residents should contact the city's operation centre at 604-927-5496 or 604-927-5488.
8. What impact will the new recycling program have on taxes/taxpayers? The agreement with MMBC will mean the city will continue to provide collection services to residents and will receive financial incentives to offset a significant portion of the costs to collect recyclables. The amount the city will receive in incentives can be impacted by penalties paid for unacceptably high contamination rates and by other clauses in the contract. Until the city has some experience working with the contract, we are not able to speak to the net benefit to thecity. Our key priority is making sure our residents receive seamless recycling services and are kept informed as we make this transition.
PORT MOODY
1. When does the MMBC program start in your municipality? May 19.
2. Who is in charge of the recycling collection for single-family homes? No change in service here. City staff will continue to collect recycling, green waste and garbage carts.
3. How are multi-family housing complexes being served? Same as single-family homes, multi-family homes will be able to recycle a wider range of packaging while glass should be separated and taken to a depot.
4. What changes, if any, will your residents see in their recycling service? New items that can now go into a recycling cart include: milk cartons, plastic garden plant pots and seedling trays, aluminum foil wrap, including aluminum take-out and baking containers, hot and cold beverage cups (like to-go coffee cups) and plastic cold drink cups and lids (like Slurpee cups). Residents can find a complete guide on what can go into their recycling, green waste and garbage carts online at portmoody.ca/mmbc. Residents can recycle foam containers and packaging, along with certain types of plastic film packaging, at a depot.
5. What is NOT included for the recycling collection and how do residents dispose of these items? Starting May 19, glass is no longer allowed in a Port Moody recycling cart. Residents must take it to Encorp at 2554 Barnet Hwy. or 1045A Lougheed Hwy. in Coquitlam.
6. Where will the recyclables go once collected? Once collected, the recyclables will be taken to the Emterra recycling facility in Surrey. Emterra is one of the partners in the Green by Nature joint venture selected by MMBC to process and sell recyclables.
7. If a resident is dissatisfied with the recycling service, who do they call? If a resident is dissatisfied with the collection service in Port Moody, they can should call the city, just like before.
8. What impact will the new recycling program have on taxes/taxpayers? The cost for picking up residential recycling is now offset by the producers of packaging and printed paper. Compared to 2013, single-family homes and townhouses saved $14 on their 2014 utility bills and condo dwellers saw a $30 decrease. In 2015, owners single-family homes and townhouses will see an additional $8 savings on their utility bill and condo dwellers will see a $7 decrease.
ANMORE
1. When does the MMBC program start in your municipality? Aug. 1.
2. Who is in charge of the recycling collection for single-family homes? MMBC. MMBC has selected Smithrite Disposal to collect curbside recycling in Anmore.
3. How are multi-family housing complexes being served? Anmore has one multi-family complex and the village is currently in discussion with the complex as to the most effective way to manage their recycling.
4. What changes, if any, will your residents see in their recycling service? In July, residents will receive a new, light blue box to separate glass for curbside collection starting Aug. 1. Recycling will continue to be collected on the same day as garbage and other waste collection.
5. What is NOT included for the recycling collection and how do residents dispose of these items? A list of materials accepted in MMBC's program is available at: recyclinginbc.ca/program/mmbc-materials-list.
6. Where will the recyclables go once collected? On an annual basis, MMBC will be required to provide a third-party assessment (e.g. from an external auditor) regarding the end of life management, including final disposition, of the materials within the MMBC system.
7. If a resident is dissatisfied with the recycling service, who do they call? MMBC has selected Smithrite Disposal to collect curbside recycling in Anmore. Residents can contact Smithrite at 604-529-4011.
8. What impact will the new recycling program have on taxes/taxpayers? The cost of curbside recycling from single-family dwellings will transfer from the taxpayer to MMBC, on behalf of the businesses that supply packaging and printed paper to BC residents, as of Aug. 1, 2014.
BELCARRA
1. When does the MMBC program start in your municipality? At this time we will continue with our regular drop-off recycling program.
2. Who is in charge of the recycling collection for single-family homes? The municipality operates a refuse and recycle drop-off facility.
3. How are multi-family housing complexes being served? There are no multi-family complexes in Belcarra.
4. What changes, if any, will your residents see in their recycling service? The introduction of a ban on organic materials may present both logistical and financial challenges.
5. What is NOT included for the recycling collection and how do residents dispose of these items? By not participating in the MMBC program, we can continue to collect and recyclable materials.
6. Where will the recyclables go once collected? Recycle processors, we presently use, Urban Impact and Happy Stan's.
7. If a resident is dissatisfied with the recycling service, who do they call? The superintendent of public works.
8. What impact will the new recycling program have on taxes/taxpayers? It would be significant as it would involve either supervised drop-off or a shift from a drop-off depot to curbside. The key issue is meeting the contamination limits set by MMBC which appear unachievable.
