The cost to dump garbage may be going up.
The Comox Strathcona Solid Waste Management Board is considering increasing tipping fees at both the Campbell River and Cumberland landfills.
The bylaw, which details the scale charges, is currently at the third reading stage and may be adopted at the regional solid waste board’s next meeting, Nov. 3.
“The minimum charges for local residential loads less than 60 kilograms will remain at four dollars,” said Tom Boatman, the region’s solid waste manager. “However, the price per metric tonne will increase from $65/tonne to $80/tonne. This increase should allow for a balanced 2012 operating budget, as well as allocate reserved funds for future capital projects.”
In addition, the new categories offer diversion incentives to help preserve landfill capacity for the future and are consistent with other waste management centres on the Island.
If the board does decide to go ahead with the change, tipping fees would increase effective Jan. 1, 2012.
Tipping fees not only go towards operations at Campbell River and Cumberland waste centres but also the operations of the Tahsis and Zeballos landfills, plus the Gold River transfer station and landfill.
In addition to these facilities, the multi-bin recycling depot system, the compost education centres in Courtenay and Campbell River, and waste reduction education and road maintenance grants are funded through the tipping fees collected at the two waste management centres.
For more information on the current schedule of fees as well as those included in the recommended bylaw visit, www.cswm.ca/fees
The Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM) service is a function of the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) and is responsible for two regional waste management centres that serve the Comox Valley and Campbell River, as well as a range of transfer stations and smaller waste-handling and recycling facilities.
The Comox Strathcona Waste Management service manages over 100,000 tonnes of waste and recycled material and oversees a number of diversion and education programs.