Talking trash is off the table for town council – at least for the time being.
And while the lid will presumably re-open ahead of Calgary's fall 2020 landfill fee hike, all but Couns. Tara McFadden and Susan Flowers voted against switching to biweekly black bin curbside pickup.
The reasons behind quashing the idea included it being too much, too soon, too many people feeling their hand was being forced, rather than guided and it being too onerous for large families.
The reasons to quash the push by administration to cut garbage in half were lengthy, with Mayor Jeff Genung – who was reluctant to vote against the switch – wrapping up the debate with acknowledging that there are still a considerable amount of people who have been missed by public engagement.
"I really think we need to look at how we're messaging," said Genung, commending Fabrizio Bertolo's waste and recycling division's efforts, as well as the communication department, while stressing that there seems to be a gap of people who aren't up to par with proper bin utilization and who continue to be missed by the town's extensive public engagement efforts.
Genung also highlighted that the town's cart audit on some 9,000 carts came off as negative and intrusive, sparking a social media backlash of bitterness toward the "garbage police."
McFadden, on the other hand, was vocally frustrated and took a tough love stance on the matter – that some people won't change their habits until they have to.
Stressing that not making the switch was unfair to the 50 per cent of the town already achieving trash targets, McFadden feels the vote was a missed opportunity.
"There was extensive public engagement done on this file – over a year of getting people educated," said McFadden. "It's one of thee rare opportunities where there's an environmental win and an economic win."
Economically speaking, the cost to continue weekly trash pickup will result in an extra 70 cents per month by May, on the average household tax bill for a total cost of $22.25.
Switching to biweekly would result in a reduction of $1.70 per month for a total cost of $20.55, with annual contract costs factored into these rates.
But costs are deemed overall nominal by both sides of the fence. What people are most concerned with are considerations for larger families and environmental considerations – at least according to social media.
Immediately following the Monday night vote at council, the Cochrane Eagle posted the outcome on Facebook – resulting in significant engagement and commentary.
Much of the concern over the biweekly push stems from larger families – especially those with children in diapers.
Some of the comments on the Eagle's social media thread were made by seemingly frustrated mothers who voiced that despite their best sorting efforts it would be impossible to make it two weeks with overflowing diapers.
Administration has clarified that they would look to accommodate the additional trash needs of larger families (with two children under the age of four) or those with medical needs through a "compassionate care" program – whereby applicants would apply for the program each year to receive either an extra bag or extra bin at no cost. They are also considering the inclusive of low-income families of five or more (those registered in FCSS programs).
It is unlikely council will look at switching to biweekly pickup for at least another year, as administration stressed that with major projects such as transit implementation and Tri-Site planning in the works there just isn't enough resources to devote to hashing out trash.
However, it seems inevitable that council will have to make the switch at some point in the not-too-distant future as the City of Calgary – where all of Cochrane's waste is shipped to – is expected to increase their landfill rates by end of next year and there is a possibility that they could not only charge Cochrane more for contamination but outright refuse the town's refuse, according to administration.
The Town of Cochrane adopted its "Zero Waste Framework by 2020" back in 2012, which entails 80 per cent waste diversion from landfill.
Trash Stats
• Diversion rates for the town moved to 63 per cent in 2018 from 31 per cent in 2016, due to the implementation of the organics (green bin) program
• Total waste sent to landfill decreased by 1,332 MT in 2018 (37 per cent reduction); this resulted in $93,000 cost savings for the town.
• Data shows that on average, black carts are 56 per cent full and over 50 per cent of the families in town fill their black bins halfway or less each week
• Estimated costs for Cochranites if Calgary landfills raise rates in 2020 and waste diversion goal of 80 per cent is not met is $3-$4 per month per average household
• Administration has sights on large item pick up program, as well as extra waste bags for $3
