The cost of Innisfail's curbside recycling program, which has been heavily subsidized by the town for three years, will soon nearly double per household.
At council's regular meeting on Jan. 27, first reading was approved for an amendment to the Solid Waste Collection and Disposal System Bylaw that proposes to increase the household service from $3 to $5.
Council was told the waste management cost to the town to run the program last year was $159,840. That amount is based on a cost of $5 per household.
However, at $3 per household the town was only able to collect $95,904, leaving a revenue shortfall of $63,936.
ìWhen we first brought recycling in we wanted people to accept it and embrace it,î said Heather Whymark, director of corporate services. ìWe have been subsidizing the waste management contract up until this year when council has agreed to charge the customers what we pay the contractor to pick up the recycling.î
Council approved the $2 increase in the 2014 budget to cover the cost of the recycling service from waste management. The service, which combines recycling pickup with the regular garbage pickup each week, features the green box program that collects paper, plastics, glass and metals.
The cost for the first green box is free and the town will replace it at no charge if it is lost or stolen. If a resident wants additional green boxes the cost is $10 per box, which covers its cost.
The utilities bylaw amendment is scheduled for second and third reading on Feb. 10. If passed, the new $5 cost is expected to being immediately.
