Solid waste fee changes are seemingly coming to help the City of Orillia cover the operating and maintenance costs at the Waste Diversion Site.
This week, council recommended increasing fees for garbage, mixed load, commercial organics, and mattress waste after hearing a proposal from Greg Preston, director of waste management and environmental compliance.
If approved, mixed loads would be increased from $370 to $400 per tonne. However, Preston explains mixed load fees can be avoided by those who take the time to sort their waste materials.
"Coming to the Waste Diversion Site, they get charged double the tipping fee because then staff have to take extra time to sort that material," he explained. "Staff is looking to consolidate a number of items into a new category called construction and demolition waste, which will help with customer service."
Under the proposed new fees, construction waste would be increased from $170 to $185 per tonne, and commercial green bin and leaf yard waste would increase from $20 to $50 per tonne.
The proposed changes would also see a new fee of $300 per tonne for commercial recycling.
Mattresses and box springs would also see a slight increase, from $25 to $30 per unit, which will help cover the cost of the influx of mattresses the city continues to see.
"The proposed fee changes would expect to net approximately $85,000 in additional revenue to help cover these costs," Preston said.
Asbestos disposal requires special handling, which will come with a $400-per-tonne fee. Councillors Tim Lauer and Ralph Cipolla raised concerns about the environmental impact of asbestos.
"We have a very controlled program in place following our environmental compliance approval," Preston said. "We're not allowed to take asbestos in bulk, so it has to be properly sealed, which normally entails placing it in special asbestos bags."
He says the Waste Diversion Site receives upward of 10 tonnes of asbestos in a year or less.
"When we do get it, we have to dig a special hole for it in the in the ground," he explained. "The truck comes back, dumps the material, and it gets covered over with 125 centimetres of garbage or filled material immediately."
People dropping off asbestos have to properly seal it in a bag and provide the Waste Diversion Site with 24 hours' notice before arrival. They are also encouraged to explore other options before deciding to dump their asbestos at the site.
"If residents know that they have asbestos, we do advise them not to send it to the Waste Diversion Site directly," Preston said. "We recommend going through a private service provider."
The fee changes will be referred to 2025 budget deliberations.
