In an effort to further clean up the downtown core, the Town of Canmore is changing the way garbage is stored and collected.
Details of the downtown waste collection enhancement program were presented to council last week.
The expected changes include transitioning from dumpsters to plastic bins, requiring all garbage and recycling to be fully enclosed and charging for removal by weight.
Manager of public works Andreas Comeau said the program will not only improve aesthetics downtown, but increase recycling by businesses.
“The program is to be delivered entirely by the private sector and we are currently drafting a memorandum of understanding with them,” Comeau said, referring to BFI and Waste Management, the only two private haulers in Canmore’s downtown area. “Part of that (MOU) would be that all collection vehicles need to be out of the downtown by 10 a.m.”
Instead of dumpsters, businesses will be provided with plastic roll cart bins that have a sensor in them. When they are collected before being tipped into the garbage truck the sensor allows them to be weighed.
“Based on the weight, that would be the factor of what is charged,” Comeau said, adding different businesses in the same building would be assigned separate bins.
The cost by weight is to be determined by the private haulers, he added.
The transition from dumpsters to bins is set to start June 24 this year for two weeks to replace containers and set up accounts.
Comeau said businesses will have the spring to build their enclosures, which will have to be animal proof as of June 10, 2011 and in compliance with architectural standards by July 1, 2012.
Those standards require garbage cans to be completely enclosed with a roof, locking door or latch either within the building or in a separate structure that matches the building’s colours and exterior materials.
While waste costs will go up and the costs for building enclosures are expected, Comeau said the Town is waiving development permit fees.
“Because we are requiring (property owners) to do this we would not be charging for development permits. However, we will be charging for building permits because we have contractors that have to go out and do inspections,” he said.
Another factor considered is parking and cash in lieu. If a new enclosure takes up a parking space, Comeau said there would be no adverse affect.
He added cost-saving opportunities are available for businesses that divert recyclables from the waste stream and for restaurants that install garburators to reduce organic waste.
The Bow Valley Waste Management Commission, said Comeau, can also conduct a waste audit for businesses and provide suggestions on reducing costs.
Administration plans to meet with property owners on Jan. 17 and 20, and then present to the downtown Business Revitalization Zone soon after that.
Mayor Ron Casey asked about enforcing the new program, but Comeau said there is no mechanism to do so.
He said if administration feels there would be non-compliance, it will come back to council with amendments to the waste control bylaw, which is currently under review.
“We are hoping businesses will see the benefit of this,” he said.
