City of WL Trial Project: Use 1 Truck to collect Garbage/Recycables

Editor's Note - From the City of Williams Lake.  One question though - if we couldn't mix recycles and garbage when the City started doing curbside recycling/garbage collection (and I might add City residents weren't directly asked if they want to pay for the service, via the two containers each property owner now pays for until 2014), then why the sudden change to do this and will this not open the possibility that, through an accident, garbage might contaminate the recyclables collected and the City be put into the position of dumping recyclables that garbage mixture created??

The City of Williams Lake would like to inform residents of Williams Lake that a pilot project will be implemented that will allow the City and its contractor to gather information on the collection process that may lead to future changes that benefit the residents and the environment. This pilot project will include:

Testing the viability of serving the residents of Williams Lake with only one automated truck during this last week of July and the month of August. Using one truck for pickup of both garbage and recycling will help reduce the carbon emission created by providing this service Initially a second truck will be used during the 5-week trial in the downtown core area to minimize interference with the morning traffic. If downtown traffic does not appear to be affected, this second truck will be removed during the pilot program. The timing of the service for solid waste or recycling pickup at your address may be shifted slightly during the day of service, but the day of service will remain the same. Please continue to ensure your solid waste and recycling carts are at the curb before 7:00 am on the morning of your collection day.

After the trial period, the effectiveness of the pilot project will be analyzed. During this time, the City’s contractor will resume the original process using two trucks.

The City will communicate the results of the pilot project to the public before any proposed changes to the service take effect.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience during this process.

For more information please contact:

Joe Engelberts
The City of Williams Lake
250 392-1785 or jengelberts@williamslake.ca