Garbage can sales up as a new Windsor bylaw approaches

At least one hardware store is reporting a run on garbage can sales as a new city bylaw approaches.

Windsor residents must put garbage in hard-sided containers beginningJuly 1 or they risk being fined.

The change is meant to help stop the growing population of skunks and other vermin in the city. The regulation was passed in March 2012 but implementation wasnt mean to happen until March 2013.

Earlier this year, council extended the deadline for implementation to Canada Day.

Employees at the Gray Home Hardware Building Centre on Windsors west end said they have sold hundreds of hard covered bins and are selling more each day asJuly 1 approaches.

Employees told CBC its been tough to keep cans in stock. A new lot arrived just before the weekend.

Locks designed to keep animals out of cans are also popular items.

Come July 1, residents must have all garbage contained inside hard-sided containers, with lids.

Containers can be metal or plastic. The bylaw applies to any garbage storage outside a residence.

Special rules apply for oversized containers that hold more than 20 kilograms or 45 pounds.

Oversized carts must have:

• A bar 18 inches from the ground.
• An upper attachment 33 inches from the ground.
• The bar and the upper attachment in good condition.

The City of Windsor has published this video on Youtube to explain the requirements:

The city has spent $50,000 on an ad campaign but said it couldnt afford the nearly $900,000 it would cost to buy new cans for all 87,000 homes in Windsor.

Prices for new cans range from $6 to $50, depending on material and size.

People can and eventually will be fined for not complying.

Anne-Marie Albidone, the citys manager of environmental services, said bylaw officers will issue a notice on first offence and then give the resident time to comply.

Bylaw enforcement officers will only be notified in extreme cases of non-compliance. Albidone said the city doesn't foresee having to refer a lot of people to bylaw officers.

A fine will cost $130.