Pointe-Claire rolls out 2,500 new compost bins

ABOVE WATCH: The City of Pointe-Claire has reduced garbage collection to every two weeks, but they’re adding curb-side composting to help with the smell. Global’s Sarah Volstad finds out what residents think of the initiative.

POINTE-CLAIRE – It’s another step towards reducing the amount of garbage that ends up in landfills.

“People are thrilled that we’re really investing in our composting and recycling because they believe in that,” said Kelly Thorstad-Cullen, city councilor for District 3.

On Wednesday, the City of Pointe-Claire distributed 2,500 new compost bins in an effort to promote alternative methods of waste management.

“It’s large enough to put all your grass clippings, your leaves, or any garden extras that you’d like to put in there, as well as your organic material from your kitchen,” said Thorstad-Cullen.

The city started a composting pilot project back in 2007, where residents could use any sort of container to collect organic waste.

The project was a success, and now the city is offering its residents official green compost bins as well as a weekly pick-up service.

“This is a Quebec mandated policy, and every Quebec municipality is going to have to make these changes by 2020,” said Thorstad-Cullen.

“We were already ahead of the game and we just wanted to continue on and be leaders rather than catch up later.”

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As part of the same initiative, the city cut back on its garbage removal service in May, reducing pick-ups to once every two weeks.

Many residents said that, while they are happy to compost and recycle, the trash needs to be picked more often.

Melissa Spurrell runs a home daycare.

She said in a two-week period, she accumulates over 300 dirty diapers.

“We’re doing as much as we can on our end to help reduce the garbage, but there’s just some things that we’re not able to do and it’s very stinky,” said Spurrell.

“I’m sure that the parents can smell it.”

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Across the street, Josée Noel hoses out her trash cans as less frequent garbage removal has invited a new problem into her bins.

“It’s hot and they get full of maggots so I have to wash them because it’s quite nauseating,” said Noel.

Both women would like to see the return of the weekly pick-up, at least in the warm summer months.

But, according to the city, biweekly pick-up is here to stay.

It encourages residents to take appropriate measures to deal with the smell.

“You can sprinkle baking soda in your garbage to minimize your odor, minimize the attraction of any animals that may want to come into your garbage,” said Thorstad-Cullen.

“You can spray the top of your garbage with vinegar spray because both animals and flies don’t like it.”

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Residents are invited to consult the city’s website on tips for better waste management.