On June 12th, the PPMA was again pleased to have Dan McInnis and Kevin Zaharia of the City of Winnipeg’s Solid Waste Department speak to our membership with respect to the newly created Apartment Recycling Program.
Following are some important points of the discussion relevant to all residential property managers.
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Our recycling program was designed using existing programs in Ottawa and Vancouver, taking their best ideas and building on them. 2,000 apartment buildings were surveyed, which represents 83,000 dwellings. There will be two categories of service
The front end pick up bins will be distributed in sets of 3; one will be for paper and cardboard, one for glass, and one for other containers. Buildings requiring extra bins will be provided with same as necessary.
Delivery of bins will begin on October 1, 2001 and it will take up to one month to deliver all bins. Pick up of recyclables will begin on November 1, 2001.
The bins are valued at $95.00 each and as such, property managers will be required to sign an acknowledgment of receipt and will be responsible for repairs, and/or replacement due to vandalism or theft.
The question was asked as to whether property managers or the City owned the bins; with the suggestion being made that if the bins remain the property of the City, then property managers should not be responsible for any cost of repairs.
Canadian Waste Services will be supplying the bins and replacement parts. Under their contract they can charge no more than their cost + 10% for parts.
It is also a requirement that a waiver be signed before trucks will enter your lot to pick up the bins, which will be emptied weekly, on a designated day, including holiday pick up. Carts (not bins) should be chained together to discourage theft or vandalism.
There will be no billing for usage or over-usage on either garbage or recycling, as was originally suggested by the City. As well, there will be no volume limitations on either, but it is expected that all buildings will ensure that they have the proper size bins for their waste and recycling requirements.
Property managers are responsible for the following:
The city is responsible to:
The results of the pilot program at three Globe General Agencies' buildings have been tremendous. Garbage volumes have been reduced by half (or more) at each building and the bins are being used properly
The program cost $1 million to operate last year but ended with a net surplus of $1.4 million after the sale of recyclables. It is expected that the first year or two of the apartment program may not show a net contribution due to start up costs, but the revenues from the sale of these additional materials is expected to exceed the normal annual operating costs.
The City’s three year business plan shows a break even point by the end of year 3.
It was suggested that given the profitability of this program the City look at waiving charges for the cost of repairs due to vandalism and/or theft.
While it is believed that the bins will remain city property, our concerns will be passed along to the City.
development of this important course.