Although many people take time off over the Christmas holidays, the amount of garbage produced and collected never slows down. On December 28, City staff and contract workers collected three days’ worth of garbage in just one day!
The Engineering and Municipal Operations department estimates that over 40 tonnes of solid waste, recycling and green waste was collected on that single day. This includes cardboard from the cardboard depot locations.
To accomplish such a large collection in one day, the department of Engineering and Municipal Operations pulled employees off other jobs and put everyone on garbage collection duty. These individuals teamed up with contractors to make the collection process smoother. As vehicles were necessary to collect the estimated 40 tonnes of waste, the department rented five extra trucks for the day. The waste collectors also showed extraordinary team work. When a group finished their route, they immediately went out and helped others finish their routes. This team effort had a real impact on the success of the day’s collection.
“The City of White Rock acknowledges the dedication of staff to the community and residents,” said Mayor Wayne Baldwin. “Ensuring smooth and efficient waste collection over the holiday season is important to us,” said Rob Thompson, Director of Engineering and Municipal Operations. “I am pleased with how smoothly the process went after the statutory holidays.”
In January 2011, the City of White Rock introduced the Green Can program for single detached residential dwellings and increased recycling pick up from biweekly to weekly. The City continues to look for ways to positively impact the environment through effective recycling of food waste and recyclables.
Extra blue boxes, recycling bags and food waste bags are available at the Operations Yard at 877 Keil Street, City Hall, White Rock Community Centre, Kent Street Activity Centre and Centennial Park Leisure Centre. If you have questions about the City’s solid waste collection service, contact the Engineering and Municipal Operations department at 604.541.2181 or visit www.whiterockcity.ca/garbage