The city will pick up yard waste from the curb side every week until November 27 after council decided at its Tuesday meeting to expand the program.
Council agreed to use $124,000 it received from Multi-Material BC this year to offset the cost of providing the service for nine months this year and for nine months next year.
Weekly yard waste pick-up will be in effect from March 1 to November 30 in 2016.
Coun. Larry Samson, who made the motion to extend the program, said it’s a valuable service that will come at no extra cost to the taxpayers.
“I think it’s a good service (and) I think we’ve heard from people that they want the service,” Samson said. “I think it’s a good time to bring back this service to Campbell River.”
To expand the program will cost the city roughly $120,000 but the $124,000 from Multi-Material BC will completely offset the extra costs.
The city had already been offering curb side pick-up but for only two months in the spring (April to May) and two months in the fall (October to November).
Weekly curb side yard waste collection began on April 6 and will continue on until the end of November. Pick up days are the same as they are for garbage and recycling collection.
Unlimited amounts of yard waste are accepted as long as the material is placed in a rigid, lidded container no larger than 80 litres each (maximum weight 20 kg or 44lbs), clearly marked Yard Waste, or in bags labeled as biodegradable or compostable by the manufacturer, according to a city press release.
Branches and prunings must be tied in secure bundles measuring maximum 90 cm (36”) long and 60 cm (24”) wide. Individual branches must not exceed 7.5 cm (3”) in diameter.
Residents can also still take materials to the Yard Waste Drop-Off Centre at Quinsam Crossing, off the Inland Island Highway near the Shell Gas Station.
The drop-off centre is open year-round, Friday to Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is free of charge to use.
Leaves and grass clippings without twigs can also be taken to the dump for a $4 site access fee, with a charge of $65 per tonne for all other yard waste and woody debris.