The current contract for waste collection expired May 31, 2021. You can view the meeting agenda here. For the new contract, the District is removing the individual roll out bins and replacing them with 30-50 larger bear-proof and recycle bins strategically placed across the District.
THE ROLL OUT CARTS WILL BE COLLECTED BY DISTRICT STAFF BY SUBDIVISION
In the meantime, the individual roll out carts can still be used until they are removed from your property by the District. In using the roll out carts, please keep in mind the following:
- Food waste should go in the large bear proof bins and not the roll out carts;
- Recyclable materials are not permitted in the roll out carts and should go in the large recycle bins or to the transfer station;
- Branches, leaves and grass clippings are not permitted in the roll out carts and should be taken to the transfer station (at no charge);
- The large bear proof bins are for food waste only and not for toilets, lawn chairs, renovation material, cushions and other non food items that need to go to the transfer station; and
- The District is not charging District ratepayers at the transfer station in 2021 with the exception of appliances with freon.
If ratepayers do not intend to use their roll out carts and wish to have their roll out cart removed earlier than scheduled, please call the office (306) 982-2010 or email at office@www.lakeland521.ca
The transition will happen over the course of the next four to six weeks as replacement recycle and bear proof bins are available for each area of the District. When the bins have been placed, the carts will be removed over the week.
PLEASE LEAVE THE EMPTY ROLL OUT CARTS OUT FOR THE DATE YOUR SUBDIVISION IS SCHEDULED
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Subdivision |
After pickup on Monday, leave carts out the week of… |
| Clearsand, Okema Beach, & Birch Bay | June 21, 2021 |
| Spruce Point, Aspen Ridge, & McPhail Cove | June 28, 2021 |
| Bells Beach, Doran Park, & Carwin Park | July 5, 2021 |
| McIntosh Point, Murray Point | July 12, 2021 |
| Guise Beach, Neis Beach, Anglin Lake | July 19,2021 |
| Sunnyside, Ambrose, Sunset Bay, Rural Christopher Lake | July 26, 2021 |
COMMON QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
- Why did Council make this decision?
Answer: The decision to change the service has been made after getting feedback about the bear population. The style of container is inappropriate for bear country, and the hours of pickup to minimize bear interference was very limiting to residents. Saskatchewan Environment has approached Council on a couple of occasions asking that the collection process be reviewed.
- I was paying for this service before, will there be a reduction in my taxes?
Answer: There was previously a cost of $70.00 per year per developed lot for the “Sanitation Levy”. This only included the amount for pickup of the roll out carts and did not include the cost for the landfill fees, the tipping charges at the bear proof bins, or the cost of the recycle. This levy has now been eliminated.
- Will there be pickup of the roll out carts between June 1 and when my subdivision is scheduled?
Answer: Yes, however, please keep in mind the following:
- Food waste should go in the large bear proof bins and not the roll out carts;
- Recyclable materials are not permitted in the roll out carts and should go in the large recycle bins or to the transfer station;
- Branches, leaves and grass clippings are not permitted in the roll out carts or bear proof bins and should be taken to the transfer station (at no charge);
- The large bear proof bins are for food waste only and not for toilets, lawn chairs, renovation material, cushions and other non food items that need to go to the transfer station.
- So am I forced to pay a fee to take my household waste to the transfer station?
Answer: No, there is no charge at the transfer station for Lakeland ratepayers in 2021. Please keep in mind that the roll out carts were always only intended for food waste and small household items. If recycling is done as required, and other yard waste is taken to the transfer station as required, there should only be a small amount of material that should go into the bear proof bins.
- Why are there recycling bins located by each bear proof bin?
Answer: The District is hopeful that being able to take recycling to the same location as food waste, will result in less recyclable material in the bear proof bins.
- The new bin policy will cause difficulty for elderly, infirm, and many people who cannot manipulate the heavy awkward bin lids.
Answer: The waste bins will be reduced in size from 6 yard to 4 yard and picked up more often. The smaller bins will be easier to use because they are about a foot lower.
- There is a safety hazard around the bins regarding the buildup of ice, snow, mud, water, and litter.
Answer: The bins locations will be built up in order to provide better access and not block traffic.
- Bin location and numbers can not accurately be predicted with respect to demand, so overflow garbage bags will be littering the bin areas.
Answer: We cannot assume overflow and recognize that this will be a trial-and-error process. Greenland has provided assurance that they will be able to accommodate additional lifts to ensure overflow is avoided.
- There will be traffic pile-up at the bins Sunday nights, as weekenders leave Lakeland – these areas are not designed for traffic.
Answer: This is difficult to anticipate, however people do not all leave at the same time, there will be several areas with bins to be used, and some people may choose to take their garbage home with them if there is a line.
- Why were ratepayers not consulted or notified of this change?
Answer: Council and administration have received constant feedback about the bear issue for the past several years. Since the agreement with Greenland was a three-year agreement, this decision could not have been made earlier. This issue has gone to council on many occasions, and the meeting discussing the change was public with the agenda available online.
Meetings are summarized and available here.