Carbonear may mandate recycling to save money at the dump

By Mark Squibb/December 2, 2022

The Town of Carbonear is looking to join the ever-growing list of municipalities mandating recycling.

The topic was broached by Deputy Mayor Sam Slade during last week’s public meeting.

“Up to this point in time, the Town of Carbonear recycling program has been volunteer,” said Slade. “With the price of garbage (collection) gone up, and of course this isn’t the only reason, but the more we can get taken out of our garbage (for recycling) the better it will be.”

The tipping fee at the landfill for garbage, Slade explained, is $87 per tonne, but only $27 a tonne for recyclables.

Slade said the matter would be discussed further in committee before a motion is brought back to council.

“It would be brought back as no longer voluntary,” said Slade. “We think we’ve got to make a move on it now and make it mandatory. Having said that, we just had a little brief discussion in committee and it’s going to take a period of time for people to adjust to it and one thing and another. It’s not something that we’re going to come out and strangle people with it.”

He added residents will be educated to the policy before it comes into effect, and there will likely be public consultations to “see how our taxpayers are feeling about it.”

“I think we’re coming to the time we want to be putting less into the landfill,” said Slade. “I think that would be a responsible thing for us to do.”

Councillor Danielle Doyle suggested another improvement to the Town’s recycling program.

“I think a major deterrent for residents with recycling is the fact that it’s only picked up every second week,” said Doyle, who noted her household recycles regularly. “I have probably eight recycling bags every second week, and I usually have one bag of garbage, or a maximum of two. I mean, it’s amazing how many things you don’t realize you can recycle, but you can. But one of the complaints I do have is that it is only every two weeks.”

Mayor Frank Butt asked Slade if there was a time frame in mind for implementing a new program. Slade said the committee is still in the early stages on it.

“Meanwhile, I would encourage any councillor, if they’ve got any ideas, such as what councillor Doyle just said, to bring it forward and let the committee know,” said Slade. “This is not going to be a one-person thing. It’s done through committee, but all council has a voice in it.”