The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, August 12, 2003.-3 ~-wI~iI UIVULu pprove rural recvcling at curbsides i ï1tAý * bULK *LAL>ILLAC By JAON MSNER____________ The costs to psy for the blue-box ~~ Th hmpio system would be based on area-titiO tiW IIIII Halton is a step doser to domng 'ost ensae te sesmn away wlt its rural recycling pro- gram in Milton, Burlington and Halton HdIs that Region staff say has grown too costly and failed to reap a suitable amount of recycla- ble material. Halton's planning and public works conllittee recommended to regional councillors Wednesday the half-dozen rural recycling depots that have serviced thou- sands of Halton residents for 15 years - includmng 3,000 in Milton - be removed and replaced with a more cost-effective, bi-weekly curbside pick-up system. T'he objective is to start curbside recycling collection in February and phase out the depots by early March. Regional council will vote on thc recominendation tomorrow. There are six depots in three rural areas of Halton - two each in Milton, Burlington and Halton Hills - that allow residents to drop off recyclable materials and are picked up by the Region. The problem is the depots are being abused, with residents ille- gally dumping household garbage and hazardous materials, like paint cans. The depot recycling system isn't offered anywhere else in the GTA. calling my office and 1 know what they're feeling. They are saying this bas to change and people aren't respecting these depots, and that's why we are where we are." The costs for the programt have grown substantially since 1998, jumping from $ 190,000 annuaily to $400000 this year. Curbside collection would cost $370,000. Another problem is the depots are s0 misused that about 30 per cent of the 1,400 tonnes of materi- aI collected at the depots are con- taminated and can't be recycled, and are shipped to the landfill site on Regional Road 25. Curbside collection would col- lect 2,000 tonnes of dlean material. "'his is why we need a program change," Rob Rivers, the Region's waste management director, told comnsittee members last week. Based on 2003 residential assess- ment numbers, the annual cost for blue box recycling per si100,0W0 of assessed value would be $7.94. For example, a home assessed at $300,000 would psy $23.82. Urban users who are currently paying for curbside recycling pick- up would see their bills rise slight- Iy by an average of 82 cents per year under the agreement. Staff have looked at a number of Options in an attempt to save the depot programt. They included sur- veillance cameras at each depot site and staff-mg each site, but they cost too much money and mani- power. Given the attempts to salvage the depot system, regionai counicillors agreed the depots aren't working like they should and there's no other option but to remove them. 'Constituents are calling my office and 1 now what they're feel- ing," said Regional Chair Joyce Savoline. "They are saying tbis bas to change and peuple aren't respecting these depots, and that's why we are where we arc." Added Halton Hilîs Regional Councillor Rick Bonnette: "Some people are being absolutely disre- spectful." Milton Regional Councillor Ise. SOME on page 5 Pmoduce Spt dtai4duc et ,friin% Ne.u 1 Wm r *'99 pes.. Pm, me m op LI POTAMES. & SMVMME34ES *69 UKI MUKE EV'ENTm CONTUNUS % FPURCRE FIRA\CINS iqp teSM mmhs» un vktOrun~y YS 10/l0,000 km GM Powerun warratty. 2.2L 140) HP ECOTEC engtne. auto, AC, thefS detenSnt lar bags, 60/40 Splt t otdtttg ear seat. - pRurnnldl4£à dd Kolhassa Meoal $3"nta cona:aamamv".1nn Cheddar' Chues3 Sonior's Day eVory Wednesday~ 5% iscount for eioS! j m