Confusion continues to bubble up online over Hope’s new garbage and recycling system.
On Hope’s popular “Bulletin Board” Facebook page, garbage days bring a long list of complaints of questions, and readers have contacted The Standard hoping for answers, too.
Some are concerned that garbage and recycling are being put into the same trucks. Others are wondering if the recycling they have carefully separated are even being recycled.
When contacted by The Standard, the District of Hope’s CAO, John Fortoloczky, said people with questions can the District office. He acknowledged that the suddent switch in service providers this spring caused some confusion, and added that the new provider, Valley Waste is still working on smoothing out the service.
The District’s contract with First Class Waste Services Ltd. wasn’t renewed at the beginning of the year, and Hope was left without a service provider. Residents were not given warning about the disruption of service.
Fortoloczky says curbside pickup is being “handled and monitored” but adds that Valley hasn’t taken control of the multi-unit trucks quite yet. In the meantime, there are multiple trucks picking up garbage, recycling and yard waste.
“I appreciate the public being vigilant but we are being vigilant as well,” he said of the District. “We have to be. We appreciate all the concerns the public brings forward but we monitor to make sure there is no cross contamination.”
He said anyone with questions about any services provided by the district or through their contractors can contact the city with concerns.
“Try calling the District,” he underlined.
Transfer Station Clarity
There have also been concerns that people are taking refuse to the transfer station, just north of Lake of the Woods, that doesn’t belong there. Residents have sent photos of messes outside the gates, and concerns that residents, including contractors, don’t realize it is not a full dump.
Fortoloczky though says the District hasn’t noticed a lot of trash being dumped after hours. There have been some break-ins at the rural facility, though, that are “creating inconvenience.”
“In rural areas like that there is not a lot of overwatch,” he said, adding “we try to do what we can.”
He said it’s important for those heading to the transfer station to know the rules before they arrive, and what they can and cannot dump there. He noted that they do not have an asbestos handling facility — the closest one is at Bailey Landfill in Chilliwack — and that people need to know that.
The Standard pointed out that there is no information about asbestos-contaminated products, generally pre-1990s drywall, on the landfill’s information page. Fortoloczky noted that he would make the change immediately to reflect that information.