Recycling pickup in Ottawa has already changed a lot since the city handed the service to a private company earlier this year, and more changes are on the way.
Barrhaven resident Glenn Schumacher says garbage day has become frustrating after collectors broke two of his garbage bins. He had to pay $149 to replace one of them himself. “They throw the garbage bins. They broke two of ours,” he said.
At first, residents had to pick up their own replacement recycling bins if they were broken. Now, the organization in charge of Ontario’s blue box program says replacements will be delivered to homes and swapped with the damaged bin at the curb at no cost.
Some residents say they’re happy with the change. They believe if collectors break a bin, it should be replaced for free.
The organization also says that once the supply of old black recycling bins runs out, Ottawa will only use blue recycling bins, no matter what materials are put out.
Some residents say they liked having different colours, but it’s not a big issue. Others say recycling collection has been reliable and on time.
Starting March 30, garbage and recycling pickup days may also change for some Ottawa residents.
