Update: If you have unwanted garbage cans because of Saanich’s switch to mandatory bins, Saanich’s website says you can:
• take plastic ones to Syntal Products, 6722 Bertram Place, in Central Saanich; stand them against the chain link fence
• take metal ones to Schnitzer Steel, 307 David Street, in Victoria
The cans must be clean.
- - -
With the arrival of a new garbage era in Saanich, many residents want to get rid of their old garbage cans.
There’s a very narrow window for taking old garbage cans in for recycling at the Saanich public works yard. The first day was March 31 and the last is Saturday, April 12.
Judging by the stacks of garbage cans at the yard, a lot of people want to get rid of their cans.
The yard is at 1040 McKenzie Avenue [map below]. But you can’t enter off McKenzie. Instead, if you’re on McKenzie, turn north onto Borden Street, then into the yard entrance across from the Monkey Tree Pub.
If you’re coming on foot, be warned that the yard entrance doesn’t have a sidewalk.
Immediately after entering, you’ll see a sign pointing left to the collection area for unwanted garbage cans.
An attendant will greet you and assist with unloading. The cans should be clean, the Saanich website says. From what I saw, there was spotty compliance.
There was a steady stream of vehicles bearing cans when I was there on Thursday afternoon, but no lineup.
Saanich is encouraging residents to re-purpose their old garbage cans: use them for rain barrels, or clean them thoroughly and store things in them, like earthquake supplies.
In the new garbage era, the municipality has supplied and mandated the use of rolling bins, one for garbage, the other for food scraps and yard waste that will be composted. The bins are designed to be lifted with the mechanical arms of a garbage truck.
The new system went into effect on April 1, amid muted excitement.
Entrance to Saanich public works yard.
- - -
Turn left to go to the garbage can recycling area. Saanich's website says the last day for dropoff is April 12.
- - -
- - -
More details about Saanich’s new approach to collecting garbage and food scraps can be found at the municipality’s website.
The big objective in the switchover is to reduce the amount of food scraps going into Hartland landfill, in the hopes of extending its life by many years. There have been stumbles in the food scraps collection effort:
Victoria food scraps have no place to go but landfill
Cobble Hill foes dump on compost facility expansion
- - -
- - -
Most-popular posts:
Saanich utility bill is a shocker, but there's an explanation
Energy efficient light bulbs are finally worth buying
A penny-pinching quest for first class experiences
Driving while stoned: what the studies are saying
How to pronounce Ucluelet, Tsawwassen and that outdoor gear place
- - -
