District of Squamish staff is proposing a decrease in the fine related to contaminated tots in the Solid Waste bylaw.
The current fine is $500, which the staff feels is out of proportion with the offence.
The staff is proposing a fine of $100.
“Staff is proposing the decrease to create an incentive for residents to reduce contamination without creating a barrier to residents using their recycling tote,” says a staff report to Council.
The $500 fine will remain in place for Multi-Family and Industrial Commercial Institutional properties.
The suggested reduction in fine has not been finalised by the Council. It will be discussed at an upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting tomorrow.
However, the district staff plans to follow a progressive enforcement strategy and issue tickets only as a last resort. This progressive enforcement strategy will have four steps.
As a first step, an ‘oops’ tag will be left on the tote. As step 2, an ‘oops’ tag and a direct postcard will be sent to the resident. Third step will be to issue a warning letter hand-delivered and a ticket may be issued as a last resort.
All checks will be conducted when the recycling totes are waiting for collection at the curb.
However, if a tote is grossly contaminated, it may be refused service, with an ‘oops’ tag left for the resident explaining why it was left there.
Residents can see the district’s waste diversion guide to see what goes where.
Ihor Zalubniak says
The primary effect of this process has caused me to put more items into garbage as I’m unable to clearly identify if it should go into the blue tote.
Ihor Zalubniak says
As the list for acceptable re-cyclable items is reduced more goes into garbage. Not to mention that literally thousands of households in Squamish must drive, which is frowned upon, to the optional sites to drop off items for alternate processing. This seems to be at odds of the inspired efforts to reduce emissions. Needs a major rethink.
Jay says
Most of our recycling ends up in the landfill anyway.