In the story ‘Burns Lake explores cardboard recycling options’ published in the Lakes District News’ Nov. 4, 2015 issue, the village had been exploring different options to offload both the commercial and residential cardboard after the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN) cardboard ban is in effect.
Beginning July 1, 2016, cardboard will no longer be accepted for disposal as garbage at any RDBN solid waste management facility.
During a preliminary budget meeting last month, Burns Lake council decided to not implement a commercial cardboard recycling program in 2016. This means that starting July 1, 2016, the commercial sector will have to find their own means of disposal of cardboard.
In order to make this decision, council took into account results of a public engagement process. The village held a series of community engagement events last November to seek public input on several issues including cardboard recycling options.
When residents and businesses were asked what their preferences were for cardboard disposal options, both residents and businesses indicated they would prefer to dispose of cardboard by taking it to the depot themselves rather than hiring a contractor or paying the village. However, disposing of their own cardboard at the depot is not going to be an option for businesses as the local recycling depot will not be accepting commercial cardboard from individual businesses.
Business will now have to contract a private contractor that handles waste such as Waste Management Inc. Waste management currently charges businesses a one-time set up fee of $105 and a monthly fee of $65 ($780 per year) to pick up their bins twice a month.
According to a village staff report, if Burns Lake were to implement a commercial cardboard recycling program, the village could be risking a financial loss. According to the report, village staff estimates that at a price of $65 per month, large businesses would have no problem paying for the service. However, at $30 per month, there could be many small businesses that would opt out.
“If too many businesses opt out of the program, the municipality runs the risk of a loss and this would have to be subsidized by general revenue,” says the report.
Village staff also pointed out that some small businesses have noted the possibility of renting a cardboard bin from Waste Management and sharing the cost between businesses as a group.
“If we [village] were to run the [commercial cardboard recycling] program, these businesses would then need to be charged a non-subscribing fee, which would be 50 per cent of the regular fee. This would mean they would be paying $21.94 per month for regular garbage pickup and an additional $15 per month for a cardboard pickup program in which they are not participants,” explains the report. “Businesses would be adversely affected by this situation.”
The report also points out that if Burns Lake were to implement a commercial cardboard recycling program, the village would miss the opportunity to sell its retiring garbage truck. It is estimated that the village could receive between $75,000 and $90,000 on disposal of the truck.
Currently, the Village of Burns Lake picks up the materials from both commercial and residential garbage streams and offloads the waste into a transfer station. After the ban, the village will no longer be able dispose of cardboard at the transfer station since the village will be fined if cardboard is found in the waste stream.
Village staff did not recommend any further action on disposal options for residential customers until a full recycle program can be implemented.
Residential cardboard drop-off service will remain available at the Burns Lake Recycling Depot after the ban is in effect.
