Residential organics collection gets off to promising start with 14.6% drop in curbside garbage pickup over 2014

National Waste Reduction Week highlights the ongoing need to reduce garbage

SQUAMISH, B.C. – How much do you throw away? During this week of October 19-25, the District of Squamish joins other municipalities in celebrating National Waste Reduction Week (NWRW), a time when communities across the country are encouraged to get even more creative with managing and reducing waste. As NWRW is celebrated, the District of Squamish is pleased to announce that the newly rolled-out organics curbside collection program has, to date, yielded a 14.6% decrease (174 metric tonnes) over 2014 in residential garbage taken to the landfill.

“This is definitely a great start to the program, and we expect to see this number increase now that the program is fully rolled out,” says Mayor Patricia Heintzman. “The community should be congratulated, and we extend our thanks and encouragement to keep up the great work. These are really very promising results.”

Organic waste is a reusable resource that when separated and collected, helps extend the life of the landfill, limits greenhouse gas production from the landfill, and produces a valuable soil amendment. A Waste Audit in 2012 conducted by the District revealed that 56% of collected residential waste was in fact reusable organic material.

The organics program was rolled out to residents between May and August this year. Results tabulated between May and September identified that 29% of all waste collected curbside was organic (yard waste and food scraps); 20% was recycling (blue tote) and 51% was garbage (measured by weight). During the same period in 2014, the percentage of garbage collected was 65% of the total collection.

The District challenges residents to think about every single item that is discarded to divert it from becoming landfill garbage.

“The organics collection program challenges us to change the way we think about waste,” says Linda Kelly-Smith of Squamish CAN’s Zero Waste Action Team. “While it requires a little extra effort to manage the organics program at home, the small inconveniences are worth it when we see how each household can have such a big impact. We encourage everyone to embrace this. It’s simply the right thing to do.”

Residents are reminded that non-organic waste such as diapers and baby wipes, pet waste and kitty litter, plastic bags and other contaminants are not permitted in the organics bin.

Food scraps, coffee grounds and other organic materials really are too good to waste. For more information on the organics collection program, what goes in as well as how to keep your tote and kitchen catcher clean visit www.squamish.ca/organics.

The District is keen to hear feedback from residents in an effort to improve the program. A survey to gather feedback will be made available in November.

The District of Squamish is pleased to support the newly launched “Love this place, reduce your waste” initiative launched by the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, aimed at reducing regional waste in the hopes of one day achieving Zero Waste. For more information along with waste reduction tips, visit www.slrd.bc.ca/lovethisplace.

October 22, 2015