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Garbage focus of survey

Rural residents will be asked if they want to get rid of garbage on their own or if mandatory collection is needed.

The North Okanagan Regional District may conduct a waste collection survey in BX-Swan Lake, BX-Silver Star, rural Lumby and rural Enderby.

“We’re trying to find out if the current service is adequate or if they want something different,” said Rick Fairbairn, rural Lumby director.

Presently, rural residents have two choices take the waste to the landfill themselves or hire a company to collect it.

Fairbairn isn’t convinced his constituents would embrace mandatory curbside collection as occurs in Vernon or other municipalities.

“There would be a cost because our area is so spread out,” he said.

Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director, admits he isn’t hearing a lot of demand for mandatory collection.

“There isn’t a big push. It’s not necessarily coming from the public,” he said.

However, Macnabb says the concept of mandatory collection should be considered because residents and small haulers going to the landfill generates a lot of traffic.

“From a greenhouse gas issue, is it more efficient to self-haul or have one service?” he said.

NORD staff have heard from residents who favour the current system and from others who want a curbside collection service.

“Due to this conflicting information, staff would like to solicit input from residents in the electoral areas to determine if there is a desire for expanded curbside residential waste collection in areas where such a program is feasible,” said Karmen Morgan, waste reduction co-ordinator.