Landfill rates are going up, keeping pace with other island facilities.
Jenny Brun is the Manager of Operations at the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, and says they have seen people from outside the area bringing loads of trash here because of the lower rates.
Regional District residents who bring their own bags of trash to the landfill will also be facing increased fees.
The bag rate will go up by a dollar to $3 a bag, with a minimum $6 charge – the first increase since 1995.
Brun, says concerns about increased landfill fees leading to an increase in illegal dumping are unfounded.
“We do see a bit of illegal dumping already and unfortunately there are certain people who will illegally dump no matter what the charge is,” she said. “There has been research done showing there are places where there are no fees and some people will still illegally dump.”
Brun says the fee increase is needed to help meet regulations for landfill gas management and leachate.
She says the ACRD considered a tax increase to cover rising costs, but decided on targetting user fees instead.
Yard waste and recyclables can still be brought to the landfill for free.
The new fees go into place on November 1, 2019.
