Expanded recycling program a big deal for local residents

Coun. Linda Barnes and Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie display the various sizes of green composting and yard trimming cans to be distributed locally next year.

Martin van den Hemel photo

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Composting and tossing out the trash stand to become more convenient next June, when the city enhances its green cart recycling program and introduces by-appointment large item pick-ups.

Residents will be invited next month to decide on which size recycling container they’d like for their houses and townhomes.

House owners have the option of the standard size—which will go to those who don’t express a preference—or both larger and smaller variants, while residents of townhomes can opt for a larger version than the standard 46.5 litre can with a lockable lid.

“By supporting residents now with enhancements to our food scraps program, we’ll be in better position to comply with the regional disposal ban of food scraps when it takes effect in 2015,” Brodie said Thursday afternoon.

“Richmond was one of the first cities to introduce food scraps recycling collection service with its Green Can program, and the city is building on its early success by expanding the program, including our new large item pick up service.”

Starting this June, residents will be able to make arrangements to have a maximum of four large items picked up each year, including such things a indoor or outdoor furniture, appliances, small household goods, weight training equipment, lawnmowers and mattresses.

Asked if the city plans to continue weekly trash pick-ups, rather than moving to collections every other week as a cost-saving measure, Brodie said that wouldn’t amount to a significant cost-saving and isn’t currently in the plans. But collections of yard trimmings and food waste needs to be done on a weekly basis, he said.

For more information about the program, visit richmond.ca/greencart.