LETTER

New garbage pick-up rules

 

The media reports that Gatineau residents will be expected to reduce the amount of their bi-weekly waste disposal to 120 litres starting July 15.

Earlier this year, our city council adopted new rules for garbage collection with the purpose of reducing compostable organic matter and recyclable materials that now go to the landfill. Each residence will then be permitted 120 litres of waste per collection. There may be new black containers distributed or stickers sold to put on regular bags over the limit or special bags will be sold by the city for those wishing to exceed their limit. The city plans to fine households that exceed this 120-litre limit.Apartment dwellers will also be encouraged to begin composting. The city will provide apartments (and homes) with new 120-litre bins and set up a system to collect large items like furniture and construction waste. Or these can be taken to the eco-centres, at no cost.  Residents will also have four pick-up days through the year for large items.

The Citizen reports that 17,000 tonnes of compostable materials are sent to the dump each year. The province now requires that all its cities, including Gatineau, reduce the volume sent to land-fills by 45 per cent of their 2016 volume -- by 2020.   (This letter is a follow-up and has been edited.)                  

Diane Paquette
Aylmer