Port Coquitlam residents will soon have a way to dispose of that unused piece of exercise equipment or mattress gathering dust in the basement when the city launches a free large item pick up service this spring.
The city is currently looking for a service provider and will offer more information soon on the pick-up service but is announcing the plan now as people ramp up spring cleaning.
“Our residents have been asking for large item pickup for many years, and we’re excited to be launching this significant new service to our residents this spring to respond to that demand,” stated Mayor Brad West in a press release.
Once the program is launched, qualifying homes will be able to book two free curbside pickups per calendar year for up to three items each time.
PROGRAM WILL REDUCE WASTE DUMPING
Providing residents with a free large item pick up item service should also stem the flow of household items being dumped in woods, lanes and road ends which costs cities millions of dollars in retrieval and disposal costs every year.
In 2018, for example, it cost Metro Vancouver municipalities $5 million to deal with 40,000 incidents of abandoned waste.
West said providing the service at no charge makes it easier for residents to dispose of their large items properly.
“Bulky items can be difficult to dispose of and often there is a cost involved, which can be a barrier for some households. This new program is another example of the city continuing our overall focus of providing exceptional service to our community while making sure that waste is disposed of properly.”
PICK UP SERVICE FOR THOSE WHO PAY GARBAGE LEVY
Port Coquitlam joins Coquitlam, which has had the large item pick up service for a number of years. In that city, people can set-out four items at the curb throughout the year.
Port Coquitlam's new service has been requested for many years and the city expects it to be popular.
“This new program will make it easier for people to do the right thing and to deal with their unwanted items in a responsible way,” said Coun. Darrell Penner, council’s designate for public works matters.
Information about the booking procedure, accepted items and other details will be provided this spring via portcoquitlam.ca/largeitem, social media, property tax notices and other methods.
The city will monitor the pilot program throughout its first year, during which participants may submit feedback through the program webpage.
The new service will be available to about 13,500 single-family homes and 4,000 multi-family units that pay a garbage levy on their property tax bills.
Port Coquitlam is also exploring options for glass collection as part of next year’s budget.
