) THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF PORT COQUITLAM

MEMORANDUM
TO: + Works & Services Committee February 23, 1984
FROM: F.E. Peters, P. Eng.,

City Engineer

SUBJECT: Disposal of Grass Clippings

RECOMMENDATION:

That Bylaw No. 1426 be amended to prohibit the disposal of
grass clippings with the curbside garbage pickup and that the
City establish a supervised compost facility at the former
Welcher Dump site for the use of the public on weekends and
that the compost factiity be regulated by bylaw to provide
effective control.

BACKGROUND & COMMENTS:

History’

Several years ago the City operated a disposal sits for
gérden refuse at the Welcher Dump area. This disposal site was
closed when the City changed its bylaw to allow the piekup of
most refuse at the curt. The bylaw change was brought about
mainly to eliminate the need for clean-up weeks, to reduce the
material.which was iI}legally dispased of in ditches in lanes,
and to eliminate the problems that we had in running the garden
refuse disposal site.

Prior to the change in the bylaw, the City was picking up
approximately one ton per household per year in tts curbside
pickup. After the bylaw changed there was a dramatic increase
in the tonnage to a current rate of approximately 1.25 tons per
household per year. At the same time, changes were made to the
operation of the garbage collection system through an agreement
with C.U.P.E. and the costs per ton of pickup decreased
dramatically. Thus the people were getting an excelient pickup
service at a low price.

What has changed since that time Is the disposal cost,
From @ previous figure of $5.12 per ton the cost has now risen
to $21.50 per ton. Also, most of the extra tonnage is picked
up during the months from April to September and this extra
tonnage results in elther overtime tor the crews or an
additional vehicle used part time during those months.

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