As Saanich revamps its garbage collection in order to keep kitchen waste out of the landfill, the municipality has announced the new service will cost households up to $210 per year in collection fees.
The “pay-as-you-throw” model lets homeowners choose which garbage and organics bin size they want, and that will determine what they pay.
At the low end, an 80-litre organics cart ($25) and a 120-litre garbage cart ($25) plus the annual $105 base fee for solid waste services will cost homeowners $155 a year. Larger families may require larger bins, which range from $35 to $70 each.
In 2013 Saanich households paid a flat $156 fee for garbage and recycling.
Next month Saanich will start asking residents to select their organic and garbage cart sizes. The carts will be delivered to homes next year.
The new collection method, which will be curbside drop-off and pickup, is slated to begin in spring 2014.
Saanich estimates some 8,000 tonnes of organics will be diverted from Hartland landfill each year, and will be recycled into compost.
For more info on the new garbage collection system, visit saanich.ca/greenergarbage.
kslavin@saanichnews.com