New rules for yard waste pickup: city

CBC News, April 15, 2010

Homeowners in an area of Winnipeg still contending with changes in how their garbage is collected have been told they'll also face upheaval in how they dispose of their yard waste.

Starting in the fall, people living in about 42,500 homes in the northwest part of the city will be required to use 100 per cent compostable bags to dispose of yard trimmings or the city will not pick them up from the curb.

The news comes just months after homes were given rolling garbage carts as the city first step toward automating the garbage collection process. The move was part of a cost-cutting and garbage-reduction effort.

But the new collection process didn't initially make accommodations for yard trimmings, angering some homeowners who said their single 240-litre cart wasn't big enough to be able to fit the bulky materials.

Recently, the city relented, saying that in May, they would begin curbside pickup of yard waste.

However, the city has now mandated that homeowners will soon have to use — and pay for — the biodegradable bags which are vegetable-based, and not made out of petroleum compounds like regular black bags.

However, CBC News has discovered that currently, the bags are in short supply at major stores. A visit to six retail outlets on Thursday revealed only one of the stores – Rona – appeared to carry any stock of the bags.

One homeowner affected by the change said she's impressed by the idea, but admitted being frustrated by the lack of supply.

"It's a great idea, except we can't find them anywhere … or they don't have them in stock yet because Manitoba is just catching on with the biodegradable stuff," said Pina Tunney.
Retailers on notice

But Randy Park of the city's water and waste department said local and national retailers have been told of the city's plans and have requested an ample supply be made available.

"We believe that these items will be readily available in local stores shortly," Park said in an email.

Until the change to biodegradable bags takes effect, homeowners can use the following to toss their yard trimmings, which will be collected on a bi-weekly basis.

* Any reusable container without a lid, such as plastic tubs, metal or plastic garbage cans.

* Cardboard boxes.

* Paper yard waste bags made from weather-resistant paper that breaks down over time.

* Any certified compostable bag.

The city would ideally like to be able to use the trimmings it collects as compost to be used at parks and on boulevards, but because of plastic shards left by bags shredded during the mulching process, it has been unable to.

The bags have instead been tipped at the Brady Road Landfill, mulched and spread over garbage heaps.

With files from Mychaylo Prystupa