Norfolk holds firm on waste collection guidelines

Chris Van Paassen, Norfolk Ward 4 Councillor.

Luke Edwards

Grant Haven Media

Several condo complexes in Norfolk will have to find alternatives to public waste collection when Norfolk County switches to a new system this fall.

Councillors supported most of the recommendations included in a report at the July 14 council-in-committee meeting. Staff recommended maintaining the technical guidelines that restrict which condos can receive public collection, getting rid of the seasonal extra collection day for Turkey Point residents, transitioning to centralized collection points for residents on narrow, private or unmaintained roads, and implementing a $5 garbage container disposal fee for residents looking to get rid of their old bins when the new ones arrive.

It was only the final recommendation, for the $5 disposal fee, that councillors rejected.

“I don’t think we need to charge a separate fee,” said Coun. Chris Van Paassen.

Staff recommended the fee as a cost recovery effort for those who wish to get rid of their bins, though they would recommend residents find alternative uses for them.

Norfolk will be switching to a new waste collection system on Sept. 28. It will see the introduction of an organics program, as well as a new automated, cart-based collection system for waste. The move is being made for financial reasons, as the difference between maintaining the old system and switching to the new automated system equates to about $900,000 a year.

However, with the changes, there are new limitations that restrict where the trucks will be able to pick up bins. This led to changes to guidelines. Condo corporations were asked to apply for the municipal service and had to adhere to the new guidelines.

According to the staff report, 20 condo corporations will continue to receive municipal collection services. Five corporations who applied were found to not meet the guidelines and denied municipal service. The remaining 23 corporations didn’t apply for municipal service.

Councillors also supported staff’s recommendation to do away with a legacy seasonal Friday pickup for Turkey Point residents, who had previously paid a special levy for the service.