It is a frustrating experience to come home from a hard day's work to find that your garbage and recycling hasn't been collected.
That often means that it will be another seven days before the truck comes by again, leaving you with a sour taste in your mouth, and a fetid stench in your nostrils.
Although the city does admit that sometimes it is simply human error, or a new driver to blame, the fact is that most non-pickup incidents are self-inflicted.
"It has taken a long time for people to really comply to the rules, and I don't know the reason why," said Ken Krcel, Public Works Manager with the City of Timmins.
The city's current system, using Rehrig carts and trucks with automated collection arms, has been in place since 2011. Prior to that, the city provided smaller 'green boxes' for residents to dispose of recycling. The green boxes were filled up very quickly by most households and required residents to carry them to the end of their driveways. The Rehrig carts are on wheels and provide an adequate and enclosed space.
Under the new system, when garbage or recycling is not picked up and is left behind, the driver will call the Public Works Clerk, who then logs the reason why they were not picked up.
Krcel said there are a variety of reasons, but the most common are:
- Carts are too close together
- Carts are facing the wrong direction
- Carts were put out late
- Carts were blocked by a vehicle
- Black bags in the recycling cart
- Construction waste in carts
- Too much animal waste in the waste cart
- Improper materials in recycling cart
"Most often, the reason is people just put the wrong things in the cart. I was sent a picture earlier this year, someone put 12-foot Venetian blinds in their cart. The cart is four feet high, so we had 8 feet of blinds sticking up out of the cart. Its like, what were you thinking? I can't explain that," he said.
Krcel said residents may have to then bring the carts to the landfill themselves, if they need them emptied right away.
Public Works does receive a fair share of complaint calls. A common dispute is timing. These are often settled with video evidence, as each collection truck records its every move.
"We've had people say 'No, no, my cart was out in time' and we'll review the footage, and sure enough it shows that we went by within our time zones, and the carts weren't there. That happens a lot. I once had guy call and complain and swear his carts were out on time. When I reviewed the footage, I could actually see the carts in his garage, with the garage door open. The truck went by at 8:30, and he said 'No they were out, I put them out at 7'. At 8:30, they were sitting in his garage. I even sent him a picture. The guy then said 'Sorry, you're right'. So things happen" said Krcel.
He did empathize with residents who get frustrated with non-pickups, but said sometimes its out of their control.
"There's delays all the time. These trucks are mechanical and the more functions you have on a truck, the more likely something's going to break down. We have had mechanical issues. To be honest, its the first-generation trucks we're having problems with. The newer models have less problems" said Krcel.
The city currently operates a fleet of 5 automated collection trucks.
He also elaborated that very recently one of trucks broke down, due to a careless resident filling their garbage bin with broken concrete. This caused damaged to the vehicle, which he says is currently 'out of commission'. The cost to the municipality in these cases is significant, and negatively impacts collection efforts for other neighbourhoods. Public Works would like to see residents use common sense more frequently when filling their carts.
"We actually had someone put an entire toilet into their bin," he said.
All footage of pickups is recorded on SD (secure digital) cards, so properties that cause damage are often found out.
"We can figure it out usually. We'll go back and review the video footage from the trucks. We can figure out the time and the cart number."
In cases of major violations, other measures are implemented.
"We'll pull people's carts. We'll take them away from them. It usually promotes them coming to us, looking for their carts, and then we can have that one-on-one conversation, and explain the reason we pulled the carts. We need people to comply with the rules of our collection, otherwise further repercussions will take place. That's been our best method so far. It catches people's attention when their carts disappear" said Krcel.
The cart and automated truck system has been mostly well-received by the citizens of Timmins, especially Public Works employees.
"Prior to this we had numerous injuries to our workers. because of lifting, back issues, twisted ankles and knees from getting in and out of the trucks all the time. The injury costs of our employees is down, employee safety has increased. We still have the odd area with manual collection, and we have to worry about hazards such as needles. From a safety point of view, and an ergonomic point of view for the employees, its been a lot better" said Krcel.
The contents of your garbage and recycling bins can have a major effect on the efficiency of collection operations. Andrew Autio for TimminsToday He says a total cost benefit analysis would need to be done in order to get definitive financial numbers compared to the old system.
"Has it been more costly? Possibly. But we've also upped our tonnage on recycling by mass amounts. Back when we had the little green bins, people would fill their green bin, and the rest went in the garbage. So our diversion numbers have really gone up. That's important, because it extends the life of the landfill, and instead of burying it, its being recycled, and that's a positive. You're saving on landfill costs, you're saving on WSIB costs, among others" said Krcel.
The new bins have also made the process of collecting everyone's trash a little more civilized
"On garbage day, its not like the old days, its nice to see a row of carts. Back when it was all black bags, there'd be crows everywhere, garbage flying all over the place. It looked ugly. Now, it's not revolting to drive down a street on a collection day," he said.
Residents are reminded to be diligent about what item goes into which cart.
"If you're smart about it, and take the time to divert your recyclables properly, you can really save room in your garbage bin."
Newer, harsher measures for repeat offenders could come into play soon.
"We're in the process of re-writing our garbage bylaw. Its so old, it really never took into consideration the new program, so it has to be updated to include the new cart system and program. I'm hoping we're going to implement some fines, for people that are constantly abusing the system. There has to be some repercussions. Hopefully, we'll have a revised bylaw to council later in the fall," said Krcel.
"There are occasions where we have mechanical issues, and we just can't get all of the garbage picked up in the day. On those occasions when we can't stay late to pick everything up, we post a notice of disruption on our website," he said.
