Kick it to the curb: Vernon councillor says get rid of new recycling program

“I HAVEN’T HEARD ONE PERSON SPEAK IN FAVOUR OF IT”

VERNON – A Vernon city councillor is saying put it back to how it used be when it comes to recycling pick up.

Coun. Scott Anderson says he’s heard hundreds of complaints from Vernon residents about the new Multi-Material B.C. system, which saw plastic bags replaced by blue bins and changed what kind of recyclables would be picked up from the curb. 

“I haven’t heard one person speak in favour of it,” Anderson says.

Personally, he’s seen more recycling littered on the road (unlike a bag, the bins are not contained) and says the weight is a burden on seniors.

“Seniors have trouble moving it around. I fully appreciate that,” Anderson says.

He wants the North Okanagan Regional District to revisit the system, and hopes to garner support from Vernon council in lobbying it to do so. He says the solution is up to the regional district, but suggests returning to the old pick up system which was ‘much more efficient and user-friendly.’

Vernon Mayor Akbal Mund also preferred the old system, but says he’s ‘learned to live with’ the changes. He admits others in the community might not be so keen to adapt. 

“If I was looking at the overall picture I would probably say it inhibits people from recycling,” Mund says.

He agrees the bins are cumbersome for the elderly, adding they’re also a hazard for the employees picking them up — particularly when the contents get drenched in rain, adding to the weight.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.