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
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.