VERNON – In May 2014, the Regional District of North Okanagan switched from curbside recycling in blue bags to blue boxes and the new system has been controversial from the start.
The changes came as the regional district turned over curbside recycling to Multi-Material British Columbia (MMBC). It was part of a provincial scheme aimed at getting producers of recycled materials to pay for recycling programs rather than taxpayers. But now a Vernon councillor wants the recycling program reviewed.
“There is a lot of dissatisfaction,” says Vernon city councillor Scott Anderson.
Anderson sees a number of problems. He says seniors are finding it hard to move the bins and there are complaints the bins are too small.
READ MORE: Concerns about blue box changes
From the perspective of MMBC, the system is working. In the North Okanagan, they say they’re collecting more recycling per person than the provincial average for their programs. MMBC says contamination rates are low.
“My concern is that these questions are being raised in [an] environment where they are not considering would alternatives increase contamination and therefore diminish our ability to recycle the material?” says MMBC’s managing director Allen Langdon.
Langdon also wonders if concerns are being raised based on anecdotal information rather than hard data. He says MMBC hasn’t heard anything from the regional district to suggest a drop off in recycling.
The regional district also points out starting a supplementary local system, or asking MMBC for changes, would likely come at a cost.
Right now MMBC is providing the curbside recycling at no cost to municipalities.
Anderson plans to bring a motion to Vernon city council suggesting the council send a letter to the regional district to review the recycling program.
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