Folks living in Cowichan Valley Regional District rural areas can expect delivery of a new easy-roller recycling tote as well as a garbage tote come September.
It's part the regional district's new curbside collection program,
"The new blue recycling tote will replace all yellow and blue bags previously used for recycling, explained superintendent of solid waste operations Jason Adair in a press release. "Electoral areas currently receiving garbage collection will also receive a new grey tote to be used for garbage."
Under the new program, residents’ current services will stay the same, but at a lower annual fee. Curbside bills have already been reduced by between $1 and $11, depending on the electoral area.
“Automated curbside collection systems are in place throughout the province and have been very successful at increasing worker safety, increasing efficiency, and boosting recycling rates by as much as 30%,” Adair said. “It’s a significant step towards achieving our goal of Zero Waste and has the added benefit of lowering current operating costs, as reflected in the user fees.”
Totes will be delivered with user guides, as well as new collection schedules and a sticker attached to the lid indicating the first automated tote collection day.
Residents are asked to continue to place their current containers out until this date.
A demonstration is planned for Aug. 27th at 11 a.m. at Bings Creek Complex on Drinkwater Road in Duncan.
Communities included in this program include: Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake, Cobble Hill, Cowichan Bay, Cowichan Station, Glenora, Sahtlam, Honeymoon Bay, Saltair, North Oyster and Youbou.