The City of Fernie is getting ready to launch its curbside organics collection program.
“The rollout will begin in May and early June and it has to have a robust communication plan with it so people understand what’s happening,” said Mayor Nic Milligan.
He said the program will help reduce waste going to the landfill.
It is a change to our community waste collection process, but it does have the advantage of diverting all that good organic material that would otherwise go to a landfill,” he said.
“It will now go into the Elk Valley Composting facility in Sparwood.”
Residents will need to do their part to make sure the bins aren’t easily accessible for bears.
“Keeping your bin in a secure location is key and not putting it out before collection time, so 5 a.m. on the morning of collection,” said Milligan.
However, the level of attractant will remain the same.
“It took me a while to realize this concept, but that waste going into organics is coming out of waste containers so it doesn’t create more of an attractant,” he added.
The new bins will also be a lot more bear-resistant.
“We have ordered more robust bear-resistant carts for the organics, more robust than our waste containers,” said Milligan.
“It’s in everybody’s interest to use the organics container and keep it in a secure location until it’s ready for pickup because we recognize that we don’t want to create even more of an issue with bears.”
An infographic showing what residents can put in the bins once they’re delivered can be found below.
MORE: Compost Collection FAQ’s (City of Fernie)
Something going on in your part of the Kootenays you think people should know about? Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].