The City of Castlegar’s yard waste facility at 2101 6th Avenue will permanently close as of March 31.
Council made the decision to close the facility due to the success of the City’s Residential Curbside Collection program, which provides residents with a convenient weekly solution for disposing of food scraps and yard waste.
The closure date aligns with the utility billing cycle, ensuring a seamless transition for residents.
Background on the Curbside Collection Program
In August 2023, the City of Castlegar expanded its existing Residential Curbside Collection program by adding organics collection to the services already provided for garbage and recycling. This enhancement was introduced to improve waste diversion, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and extend the lifespan of the landfill.
By including organics collection, the program has achieved significant results, with 61 per cent of household waste now being diverted from the landfill. Of this, 47 per cent is diverted through organics collection and 14 per cent through recycling. These outcomes demonstrate the community’s strong commitment to sustainable waste management practices.
Council decision and rationale
When the program launched, after much discussion, Council opted to keep the yard waste facility open for an additional year to evaluate its use alongside the curbside organics collection program. After a review of operational costs and staffing requirements, Council determined the closure of the facility was the best course of action due to the following factors:
- Duplication of Services: The curbside organics collection program has successfully diverted yard waste, eliminating the need for a separate facility.
- Operational Savings: Closing the facility will result in significant cost savings and free up valuable staff and equipment resources for other essential City services.
“Decisions like this are never easy, but Council carefully considered the success of the curbside collection program and the duplication of costs to the taxpayer,” said Mayor Maria McFaddin.
“This transition ensures that households continue to have access to convenient and effective waste management services while responsibly managing public funds.”
“Closing the yard waste facility will enable the City to reduce costs and redirect staff time to other essential services that benefit the community while maintaining a convenient weekly curbside option for yard waste,” said Chris Hallam, Director of Municipal Services.
Be the first to know! Don’t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyKootenayNowNews Alerts.
