The City of North Battleford has started its information campaign on the changes to garbage and recycling coming to the city.
Information about the new rollout bin regime was released to the public Monday, confirmed city communications manager Mike Halstead at council Monday. Information has been posted on the City's website and can be accessed from a link right on the home page at www.cityofnb.ca.
It provides detailed information about the carts and about which items ought to go in the garbage bin and which should go to recycling.
Those recyclable items include cartons, paperboards, soft cover books and magazines, newspapers, plastic bottles, frozen food boxes and ice cream containers, cardboard, empty pizza boxes, telephone books and all paper.
Not included in recyclables, include such items as glass, food, paint cans, electronics, styropfoam, CDs or VHS tapes, compost and clothes hangers.
Advertising on the changes is also under way in local media, pointing residents to the information on the city's web site. Public information sessions have been set up for Wednesday, April 2, Wednesday, April 9 and Thursday, April 17. All the open houses will take place in Room No. 107 at the Don Ross Centre from 5 to 8 p.m.
One issue that is clearly still a concern for area residents is the pending move towards biweekly pickup for garbage and recycling collection. Already, several residents are voicing concern that a biweekly schedule will not be enough.
That issue was brought up by Councillor Ryan Bater, who asked City administration if there was a way to measure whether the two-week pickup schedule was working.
Public Works Director Stewart Schafer responded it would be measured by the number of complaints and by the recalls back for more garbage pickup. Mayor Ian Hamilton says the service provider will report back on the issues they see as well.
Councillor Greg Lightfoot urged patience from the public about the new changes coming in late April.
"I hope the public in the first month doesn't start shooting this system down right away by having concerns," said Lightfoot.
"I think we have to make sure this thing gets a bit of a chance to run and people are used to the recycling bins as well as the garbage bins."
The new schedule should be rolled out for a few months before changes are made, Lightfoot urged. He added there were "going to be some growing pains, but all in all we need to give this thing a good shot before we start making changes to it."
