West 91大黄鸭 has passed, for now, on joining a regional food waste collection program.
It鈥檚 the second community, following in 91大黄鸭鈥檚 footsteps, to reject the Regional District Central Okanagan (RDCO) project, mostly due to the expense.
The cost would be approximately $63 per year for a single-family household. Without 91大黄鸭's participation that amount rises to more than $150.
鈥淭hey do play a big role in helping fund services through the regional district,鈥� Councillor Stephen Johnston pointed out. 鈥淔or me at this time, this is not an expense in good conscience I can put forward to our residents.鈥�
While 73 per cent of Central Okanagan residents surveyed liked the idea, without 91大黄鸭 on board, less than 13 per cent would be willing to take part. About 50 per cent of residents supported paying for the program.
Council liked the program's concept, but Coun. Rick de Jong echoed Johnston鈥檚 cost concerns.
鈥淧articularly with this economy that we鈥檙e wresting with, costs matter,鈥� de Jong noted. 鈥淲e need to be prudent with our monies.鈥�
The RDCO鈥檚 plan involves letting residents toss food waste into green bins, expanding yard waste pickup to weekly year-round, and reducing garbage collection to every other week.
A new transfer station would also be needed鈥攅stimated at $12 million.
Mayor Gord Milsom said West 91大黄鸭 may consider joining the program in the future.
鈥淏ut we can鈥檛 be there on our own,鈥� he said. 鈥淲ith 91大黄鸭 not participating, the $150 plus is something we can鈥檛 ask our residents to pay. It鈥檚 only going to work if we all come together as a region.鈥�
91大黄鸭 city staff noted significant uncertainties with the program including the location of a new transfer station, design, technical features, and space requirements.
鈥淭hese factors鈥攃ombined with cost鈥攎ake this the wrong time to proceed,鈥� a staff report stated.
The RDCO will be pitching its food waste collection program to other Central Okanagan communities.
