Landfill site can handle any impact of Recycling by Appointment

The Kaien Road Recycling Centre is now operating on an appointments only
process at the moment as part of their COVID Response

When it comes to any excess material destined for the landfill site during the reduced level of service delivery at the Kaien Road Recycling Centre, City staff has indicated that so far, things are manageable out at the Ridley Island site.

The subject was raised as a question for staff from Prince Rupert City Councillor Nick Adey at Monday's Council session, with the councillor making note of the new measures at the Recycling centre and asking if there had been any issues created for the landfill by way of materials that normally would be recycled.

"I'm wondering though, whether the landfill people are seeing an increase in people dumping the kinds of things that would normally be taken to the recycling centre, if they could just do it on their way out to the dump" -- Councillor Nick Adey

The City of Prince Rupert's Corporate Administrator Rosa Miller fielded the question, observing how Operations Director Richard Pucci had noted that there has been some increase at the landfill site, particularly in the way of cardboard but not at levels that they can't handle, noting that they were approaching the situation as a COVID Clean Up.

The Kaien Road Facility, which is operated by North Coast Regional District, introduced its by appointment only process in March, a system which some residents have indicated can make for a wait of one to two weeks to get a time allotment.

Not discussed by the Council membership on Monday was how long Regional District plans to keep the COVID response program requiring appointments in place. 

Council members also let slip by a chance to offer a bit of background as to why the plan was implemented, considering other services in town have found a way to continue with their duties while making for their allowances for Social Distancing.

There has been one spin off from the new measure, that being a growing demand for a private service which makes home collection of recycling materials,  a service which has found some new customers over the last six weeks.

However, for those not inclined to pay for their pick ups, nor as patient or accommodating as Councillor Adey, the need for an appointment may send them off to the landfill site. 

Something which at some point could have an impact on the Ridley Island location, depending on how long the Recycling centre holds to their newest model of service delivery

The recycled trash talk can be reviewed from the City's Video Archive starting at the twenty eight minute mark.






For more notes related to Monday's Council session see our Council Timeline Feature.

A wider overview of City Council Discussion themes can be explored here.