Calgary 'pay as you throw' garbage pickup system shouldn't proceed, committee says - Action News
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Calgary 'pay as you throw' garbage pickup system shouldn't proceed, committee says

The City of Calgary should not proceed with a "pay as you throw" program for garbage pickup, the city's community development committee agreed Thursday.

Program intended to reward those who use less trash, but there are issues

Calgary should not move forward with a 'pay as you throw' garbage pickup program, city administration recommended Thursday. (Pat Fogg/CBC)

The City of Calgary should not proceed with a "pay as you throw" system for garbage pickup,council's community development committee agreed Thursday.

The programwas initially considered in late 2019.

At Thursday's meeting, cityadministration cited technological barriers and potentialhigher black cart chargesas reasons against its implementation. With the introduction of recycling and curbside compost carts, the amount of waste being picked up from black carts has fallen significantly.

Ward 11 Coun. Kourtney Pennersaid customer engagement and research have produced a "robust" waste and recycling program, negating the need for such a solution.

a woman with brown hair smiles.
Ward 11 Coun. Kourtney Penner says the city's data indicates that 96 per cent of its users of the waste and recycling system are compliant and putting materials in the right places. (City of Calgary)

"When we start to think about changing up the program, or thinking actually about trying to innovate and find different ways for other customers to save money, or reduce the frequency of pickup, we actually find it costs us more in the long run to implement those technologies," she said.

"So, in this case, one of those things is: simple is better."

The program as described would have used the existing identification chips in black bins to track how often garbage is picked up from homes. Those who put out their bins less frequently would have received lower bills.

However, city administration said limitations of technology could have resulted in tens of thousands of billing errors on a monthly basis. In addition, the city's analysis indicated the costs associated with the project would have outweighed potential savings.

The city community development committee voted 7-0in support of administration's recommendation not to proceed with "pay as you throw."

The program will now be discussed by council later this month.

With files from Scott Dippel