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RDEK providing grant to city for curbside recycling
The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) has approved a grant to the City of Cranbrook for the purchase of recycling carts to support the implementation of a Recycle BC curbside recycling program in the city.
“Through the Solid Waste Management Plan process there was a very clear desire from City of Cranbrook residents for curbside recycling and the city has been working on a plan to bring this service forward; however, we know that comes with a significant initial cost for the infrastructure,” explained RDEK Board Chair and Electoral Area C Director Rob Gay. “This grant will offset the start-up costs for the city and once curbside recycling is implemented, it will improve service levels for residents and remove a significant volume of material from the yellow bins system. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
The RDEK will provide up to $691,641 to be paid equally over five years for the purchase of 6,231 carts. The funding will come from a reserve account within the Central Solid Waste service, so will not result in any increased costs.
Recently, Recycle BC reached out to municipalities that provide curbside waste collection to offer funding for the curbside collection of recyclables. The city would be compensated for each tonne of curbside recyclables collected, which would help offset the ongoing operational costs of providing this curbside service.
Currently, the RDEK pays for every tonne collected through the yellow bin program, and introduction of a curbside recycling program in Cranbrook is estimated to save $153,000 per year in the yellow bins alone.
“Our hope is that by making recycling easier within the City of Cranbrook, we will see a reduction in the recyclables being thrown in the landfill,” added Gay.
In a recent waste audit, it was determined that up to 19% of waste collected in the category of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) could have been recycled through either the Yellow Bin Program or the Recycle BC Program.
“We applaud the City of Cranbrook for taking steps to implement curbside within the city and are pleased to be able to provide support through our Central Solid Waste Service,” said Gay.
Further details about the implementation of a curbside recycling service will be provided by the City of Cranbrook as they are available.
RDEK
