Bi-weekly recycling savings not what some councillors expected

A screen grab from the City of Cornwall's recycling calendar shows the single stream recycling started in 2011. A report for the budget committee Friday shows the city would save up to $125,500 a year if it went to collecting recycling every other week. (Photo/City of Cornwall)

CORNWALL – Cornwall councillors seemed to be surprised at what little savings would be attained from dropping back to bi-weekly recycling.

A report to the budget committee Friday shows the city would save as much as $125,500 if it were to pick up blue boxes every other week as opposed to weekly collection.

Environmental Services Division Manager Morris McCormick told the budget committee going to bi-weekly recycling would also “limit where we are going forward.”

McCormick hinted at bag tags or bag limits in future years as part of the Solid Waste Management Plan.

“It’s not the number I thought that was coming back,” said Coun. David Murphy. “I heard the neighbourhood of 300 to $400,000. Thank you for the information.”

“I expected a reduction in half a million dollars. (But with the difference), I think it’s well worth the increase (in the investment) in recycling,” Coun. Brock Frost said.

“I think people have changed their habits…I see the boxes out every week,” said budget chairwoman Bernadette Clement.

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