It appears the future of a curbside recycling program in Estevan is as clear as mud.
The City held an open house Thursday evening in the lobby of Spectra Place to present residents with the cost of the various options they included in a recent request for proposals. The meeting also allowed for residents to voice their opinion on what direction they would like the City to take.
There was certainly no shortage of opinions expressed during the 90-minute event, which was dominated by complaints about the current automated garbage pickup system operated by Regens Disposal, who also took its share of heat.
When all was said and done, it was clear that the roughly 75 people in attendance were in favour of recycling but were largely against a curbside pickup program for either recycling or garbage.
Mayor Roy Ludwig said the anger towards any type of curbside recycling program is something the City will take seriously as they move forward in their decision making process.
"That is a serious issue that we will have to explore," he said. "We will enter into discussions with Regens and see what we can do because obviously it is a serious issue and has to be addressed."
The City issued the RFP earlier this year and although three businesses picked up information, only Regens Disposal submitted a proposal. That places the City in somewhat of a bind as the local company's proposal did not include plans for back lane recycling and as the only bidder, they are in the driver's seat.
"We left it out there to the contractors as what options they would give us. As you know, Regens, with their big trucks do not want to go in the back alley. But again, we are going to have that discussion and pursue those issues and see if we can't make it happen because for (a lot of homes) it simply won't work in the front."
The proposal from Regens included five different options and the price for each. Sticking with the current program of back alley garbage pickup in most of the city would cost $7.35 per household each month. Going with the current garbage program and curbside recycling would cost $12.35 per household. A combined front street garbage and recycling program was the cheapest option at $8 per household. The flat rate for front street garbage pickup was $5.35, while recycling was $5.
Despite hearing the costs and how much cheaper front street pickup was, those in attendance remained adamant in their stance with a number noting that in their area of the city front street pickup was not feasible as there was no room for a recycling container. Other impediments such as heavy traffic, narrow streets and congested streets were also presented.
Ludwig said many of the concerns presented are valid issues and because of that a "one size fits all solution" is not likely to be found.
"At the end of the day we are going to have to have some front yard and some backyard pickup to make this work for our citizens," Ludwig said. "We have until July until the (current) contract is up, so in between now and July, we are going to have to have some serious dialogue with Regens, iron out the difficulties with Regens, find out the solutions and then work to a proper solution."
Ludwig said the City also plans to speak with Regens about the complaints raised against the company at Thursday's meeting.
"I was taken aback about the amount of negative comments towards Regens. That's why we requested the ones with concerns come through City Hall so we can track them and follow them through to the natural conclusion and find out what the issues are so we can address them because Regens do work for us, they are our contractor, and we want them to be our contractor in a responsible fashion."
