Amanda Springer talks recycling at council | Photo Credit: Town of Renfrew
Circular Materials Ontario (CMO), a national not-for-profit organization, will be taking control of recycling programs and has contracted Renfrew County’s recycling collection to Miller Waste.
Renfrew’s Manager of Environmental Services, Amanda Springer, said local municipalities had been lobbying for a revision of the blue box program proposed by the provincial government which would include waste pickup for small businesses.
While the decision regarding small business recycling pickup has not been officially decided yet Miller Waste and the town have gone over a few options.
If Miller Waste were to pick up recycling from small businesses then it would be on Miller’s terms: there would be no more weekly cardboard pickup and there would be one dedicated day for recycling pickup which would not be determined by when garbage is picked up.
Springer said the gross cost for this service was initially underestimated by about $16,000.
The town has the option to agree with the gross operating cost of $106,000, but they can also renegotiate these terms with Miller or drop the agreement altogether.
Although Springer said the latter two options are not recommended; the town is looking to limit landfill and litter buildup and additional snags could also cause delays for other municipalities, which, are generally interested in working with Miller Waste for small business recycling pickup.
Springer said regional councils just need to sign-off on the decision by Dec. 18 to ensure the agreement is followed starting next year.
(Written by Mik Horvath)
