Regional District of Nanaimo curbside collection service rates will go up by three per cent this year.
The solid waste management select committee approved, at its meeting on Jan. 18, the proposed amendment to the residential curbside collection of garbage, food waste and recyclables regulation and charges bylaw that will see residents pay between $5 to $10 more annually.
The fee increase has been attributed to Recycle B.C.’s decision this past fall to move its material receiving facility to Chemainus, from Nanaimo and Parksville.
RDN manager of solid waste service Larry Gardner informed the committee that Recycle B.C. is allowed to change the receiving facility under the terms of the contract it has with the RDN, provided the location is 60 kilometres away from the boundaries of Nanaimo.
The RDN receives $1.1 million annually from Recycle B.C. to pay for the cost of picking up recycling materials and fund the community curbside outreach programs. But the RDN is responsible for covering any costs that will result from Recycle B.C.’s decision to change its receiving facility. It has been forecast that will cost $250,000 annually or more.
Gardner said the region has put Recycle B.C. on notice that during the next contract negotiations, the RDN expects a dropoff location that will not result in additional expense.
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