Curbside garbage pickup to change soon

By Sean Previl

Windsorites are having mixed reactions to how their garbage is going to be collected.

City council voted last year to make hard-sided garbage bins mandatory for garbage pickup but delayed the enforcement of it until March 1 of this year. The mandate is part of the city’s commitment to controlling the rodent and wildlife population.

Anne Marie Albidone, environmental services manager for the City of Windsor, said more animals are getting into garbages, resulting frustration for the public, the new by-law will help limit the trouble animals have caused.

“By having people put their garbage into a hard sided container, essentially a garbage pail, we’re going to be reducing that food source for all those wild animals,” said Albidone.

Regardless of the reasons for the change, several residents are voicing their concerns over having to pay for the bins.

“We’ve seen other costs related to municipal services going up at a rate that people find kind of shocking,” said Windsorite Todd Gervais, 41. “(Council) is offloading the cost of the container onto the resident and they’re limiting the amount of garbage you can throw out in one go.”

Albidone said residents who have concerns about buying the bins should understand they don’t have to purchase something expensive. She noted a 30-gallon pail for $30 at Home Hardware will still be collected as long as it is within regulation.

“It just needs to be in a pail,” said Albidone. “They can buy a 30-gallon pail and that will usually at its fullest be at our weight limit which is 45 pounds.”

Albidone said if it is over 45 pounds, it’s preferred the garbage be placed in a pail with wheels. These products, such as a Herby Curby can be rented for as low as $6 a month for a 96-gallon pail.

However, not all residents are having issues with the new regulation. Audrey Young, 51, who moved to Windsor eight years ago, said she thinks people cooperating with the new rules will help keep the city clean.

“It needs to be done,” said Young. “Everybody needs to get on board, work as a team and take care of this. Even cities that are smaller than Windsor have these incentives so that their city is clean and safe and beautiful.”

City council made the decision Jan. 20 to postpone the deadline for citizens to purchase their bins to July 1 and will be spending $50,000 to educate the public about the transition.

Albidone said people can learn more at citywindsor.ca or by calling 311.