City of Waterloo considers scrapping loose leaf collection program
The City of Waterloo is considering cancelling the loose leaf collection program following a review done in March 2021.
The program collects leaves that residents rake to the curb in the month of November.
According to city staff, resources are stretched thin as the same crew that deals with leaves also handles snow removal.
“It is difficult to meet the needs of the public,” said Christine Koehler, the director of transportation services with the city.
She said unpredictable weather is a big challenge.
“We don’t know when the leaves are going to actually fall off the trees and we have no idea when the snow is going to come,” Koehler said.
Residents in the Beechwood community are raising concerns about the proposed cancellation of the program.
“It’s not very forward thinking,” said Joel Blit, the president of the Beechwood Park Homes Association.
The neighbourhood association surveyed more than 130 people last month. The results found that 77 per cent want leaf collection to continue.
“One in six said so they would actually cut down one or more trees just to make the maintenance easier,” Blit said, in response to what residents would do if it the program was scrapped.
The group said concerns about the environment and the cost of buying bags would be among their concerns.
“By one estimate it will be around 100,000 bags of leaves that residents will have to bag themselves every single year,” Blit said.
Bagging leaves for curbside pickup or turning it to mulch would be the only other options if loose leaf collection ends.
Erica Ha used the leaves on her property to make her own compost. She said she wouldn’t mind if the city changed the program. She said she sees bagged leaves on people’s properties often, and added mulch is a long process but worth it.
“I just added some nitrogen and lathered it and let it kind of decompose over the winter. Perfect,” Ha said.
The staff report goes to council on June 14, where city councillors are expected to vote on the issue. Some councillors are keeping an open mind.
“I do know that there’s an option in the report to look at continuing the program in the mature treed areas only. So I am eager to learn more about what That might look like,” said Coun. Royce Bodaly.
“Last year we took probably 60 plus bags to the landfill site,” said Coun. Sandra Hanmer. “I do see the benefits and equally the concerns regarding the program as well as the benefits/concerns of cancelling the program,” she added.
According to the staff report $230,000 could be saved annually if the program is cancelled.
Correction
This is a corrected story. An initial version said seven per cent wanted leaf collection to continue, when it is actually 77 per cent.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Calgary police shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers dealt with a distraught individual. The incident lasted almost 20 hours.