Curbside compost collection plan takes step forward

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This article was published 08/09/2023 (780 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The plan to add a long-awaited Winnipeg composting program in 2030 is moving forward, along with a call to trash a proposed fee slated to start six years ahead of the service.

On Friday, council’s water and waste committee cast the first vote of approval to add city-wide curbside compost collection for single-family homes.

A staff proposal calls for each household to start paying an annual fee of $8 in 2024, to save money for green carts and kitchen pails. The waste-diversion fee would jump a total of $96 higher in 2030, adding to the existing $69.46 annual charge.

On Friday, the committee moved to delete the $8 fee and asked city staff to explore ways to add the service sooner, consult with unions on how best to deliver it and study options that base user fees on the assessed value of properties.

“I want this to go forward and I want it to go forward much more quickly than 2030,” said Coun. Brian Mayes, chairman of the committee.

During the meeting, multiple delegates urged committee members to approve the city-wide program.

“I see this as… a great way to take waste and turn it into a resource… I would be happy to make use of it,” said Will Belford.

Belford said he composts in his backyard, but feels that option is limited.

Meanwhile, the city’s largest union wants its crews to handle at least the collection side of the program.

“We think the collection of compost… should be done in-house. It allows more public control and accountability,” Gord Delbridge, president of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500, told reporters during a break in the meeting.

Delbridge said he’d also prefer the City of Winnipeg own its compost processing facility, instead of the current plan to have the private sector own and operate one.

The recommendation to rely on private ownership drew a heated comment from Coun. Ross Eadie.

“You’re recommending one option that I think is bulls—t,” Eadie told city staff.

While the Mynarski councillor promptly apologized for the comment, he stressed there were too many unknowns in having a private company build a processing facility.

In an interview, Eadie said the city would likely wind up covering construction costs indirectly, since a company would need to avoid losing money on the deal. A consultant’s report suggests such a facility could cost $97 million to $149 million, depending on construction model and technology.

The proposal calls for each single-family residence to receive weekly compost collection of (among many such items) fruits, vegetables, meat, bones and dairy, as well as paper towels, tissues and soiled cardboard boxes.

The composting proposal, and any changes to it, would require full city council approval.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga