Winnipeg, MB - A recommendation to provide a replacement recycling or garbage cart at no cost to a resident if the cart was damaged by a third party through no fault of the property owner will be considered by the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works on January 16, 2015.
Currently, the Solid Waste By-law (Section 6) requires that residents be responsible for the cost of replacing their cart unless the cart is damaged by the contractor during collection. If this recommendation is approved by Council, the Solid Waste By-law would be amended and the City would replace carts damaged by a third party at no cost to a resident effective January 28, 2015.
“This recommendation acknowledges that despite a resident exercising all due diligence to keep their carts safe and secure, there are times when carts are on the street for collection and vulnerable to vandalism and accidents from a third party,” said Diane Sacher, Director of the Water and Waste Department.
The cart replacement policy:
- would be for the replacement of damaged carts only, which are no longer functional and deemed to be damaged by no fault of the resident,
- would require that the resident return the damaged cart to the City,
- would only apply to residents served by the curbside garbage and recycling cart collection system,
- would not apply to lost or stolen carts, and
- would not apply retroactively.
Residents would still be required to exercise reasonable care and control of their carts to reduce the risk of theft, arson, damage, and vandalism, including:
- moving the carts back onto the property as soon as possible after collection,
- placing the carts out for collection no sooner than the night before, and
- storing the carts in a safe place on the property between collection days (e.g., at the side of the house, in a carport or garage, just inside the fence).
It is estimated that the City will replace about 1,500 carts per year due to third party damage, resulting in an additional cost of up to $127,500 annually.
The report will be considered by the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works on January 16, 2015.