Quispamsis council asked to reconsider curbside recycling

Quispamsis council is being asked to reconsider curbside recycling for the town.

Council unanimously rejected the proposal for a Fundy region-wide program on Oct. 7.

But Coun. Kirk Miller will ask his peers during at Tuesday night's meeting to revisit the idea of switching to curbside collection for cardboard, metal and plastic instead of having community blue bin dropoffs.

Two-thirds of council — six members — must vote in favour of dealing with waste diversion again.

Miller's request comes on the heels of Rothesay council voting unanimously in favour of curbside recycling.

Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop says curbside pickup is what residents in his town want.

"We think that with the curbside recycling, we'll have many more people participating. Instead of having to take their recyclables up to the blue bins, they'll be able to leave it at the end of the road," Bishop has said.

A recent survey of Quispamsis residents by the local waste commission indicated 57 per cent support curbside pickup, even if it would cost them an additional $75 per year.

But Quispamsis council cited concerns about the expense.

All of the communities involved in the Fundy Regional Services Commission have to vote on the issue.

They have three options:

• The status quo of blue bin recycling depots and compost
• Curbside recycling and no more composting
• Curbside recycling and composting

Rothesay will look at bringing in curbside pickup, even if the rest of the region turns it down, Bishop has said.

Reducing waste is just the right thing to do, he has said.

Four of five Canadian households currently have curbside recycling pickup.