The bear-proof garbage bin, located at the works yard in Glenmerry, was permanently removed on Monday. Managed and maintained by nonprofit agency Natural Control Alternatives (NCA), this was the lone remaining receptacle of this kind in Trail.
The reason for removal?
In short, people were dumping loads and leaving without making the small monetary contribution it takes to help keep this service afloat.
While usage had increased since the removal of the bin near the bocce pit on Rossland Avenue, user fees did not increase enough to support the program in Trail.
“We can see that residents find the program useful as the bins are full on dumping days, which occurs twice a week,” said Scott Leyland, NCA president. “However, the fees of $5 per bag are not at all where they should be for the number of bags placed in the bin.”
Leyland anticipated costs to empty the bin upwards of $8,500 this year — with donations in the $3,000 range.
“Unfortunately, the public support isn’t adequate to sustain the management and maintenance of the bin and this leaves us with no choice but to discontinue the service in Trail,” he said.
The intent of NCA’s bear-proof garbage bin program is to provide an additional service to curbside garbage collection during bear season, which is May through October.
Money collected from the bins were to help offset the tipping and maintenance fees that are incurred by NCA.
Now that the service is discontinued, the city reminds all residents to store their garbage in a secure location until their scheduled collection day.
Read more: Improper use of bear-proof bins prompts advisory to Trail community
Read more: May 17 — Bear-proof bin available at Trail works yard
newsroom@trailtimes.ca
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