CBRM makes changes to garbage collection

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) is making changes to the way garbage is collected this year.

The municipality says there will be no heavy garbage collection – instead a new year-round Call to Haul Program is being launched.

Residents will be able to contact the municipality by calling 311 to schedule a pickup of up to five large bulk waste items starting May 1.

“People are so used to having the heavy garbage, but I also think that maybe some change is needed and a different way of doing things because the status quo just maybe is not working right now,” says resident Katie Levangie.

“It always comes down to budget and we’re trying to save money as much as we can,” says Coun. Eldon MacDonald.

He says heavy garbage now costs the municipality between $500,000 and $750,000 each year – a sum significantly higher from the near $250,000 per year when he was first elected in 2012.

According to CBRM, residents can use the program multiple times throughout the year but only five items can be collected at a time.

Once residents register, they will receive a pickup date and instructions on how to place their items on the curb. The municipality adds residents should not put items on the curb until they have a scheduled appointment.

Over the years, some have complained all the trash was a bad look - particularly for spring cruise ship visitors.

“And they should be picked up the next day, so it won’t be debris that will be hanging around at curbside which heavy garbage allowed for that - some people put it out two and three weeks ahead of time which was very unsightly for our community,” says MacDonald.

Also new this spring are some changes when it comes to tipping fees for some items when they are dropped off at the city dump.

Levangie wonders if all these changes will lead to more garbage being dumped illegally rather than at the landfill.

“People think it’s easier to just throw it in the woods or throw it off the side of the highway,” she says.

But Coun. MacDonald completely disagrees.

“I think the opposite. Individuals that miss heavy garbage pickup, they have that one opportunity. If they miss it (now), they have the opportunity for the rest of the twelve months of the year to abandon those appliances, chesterfields, kitchen sets,” he says.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ryan MacDonald.

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