Big changes are coming to garbage collection in Portage la Prairie.
Starting August 1, the city is switching to an automated system using standardized 360-litre solid waste carts.
To help prepare residents, a public open house is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment.
Representatives from the city and contractor MWM Environmental will be on hand to answer questions and give people a chance to see the new carts in person.
Jocelyn Lequier-Jobin, Director of Operations for the City of Portage la Prairie, says the idea for the open house actually came from the contractor.
“They will have the carts there for people to have a look at and you could try wheeling it around,” she notes. “There will be real people to answer questions.”
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What to expect from the new system
All households will receive their new carts at no cost the week of July 28. The city says delivery will likely happen the day after a household’s last pickup under the old system, though it could vary by a day or two. Garbage pickup days will remain the same.
Lequier-Jobin explains how the delivery will work.
“The carts will be delivered to everyone’s homes,” she says. “They’ll be placing the cart at the curb in the location that they want you to put it on garbage day.”
Once delivered, carts should be placed on the curb next to the road within a metre of any obstruction so trucks can easily lift and empty them.
“There’s not really a specific side of the driveway,” she adds. “It should be on the road, right next to the curb.”
Goodbye to tags and manual pickup
As part of the transition, the city is eliminating the use of garbage tags. That means extra bags or bulky waste outside the cart will no longer be collected unless scheduled as part of the city’s new bulky waste pickup program.
There will now be four free bulky item pickups each year in April, July, September and December. Pickup dates will be posted on the city’s website once confirmed. Residents can return any unused tags for a refund at City Hall or the Operations Department until September 30.
Lequier-Jobin says she understands some people might be unsure about the change but encourages them to come see the system in action.
“Change can be hard for people, but also there’s lots of advantages to the new system,” she remarks. “Everyone will be getting a cart free of charge to use, and they’re quite easy to move.”
A new app to help stay on track
In addition to the carts, MWM Environmental is also launching a new mobile app called ReCollect. The app will help residents track collection days and receive notifications about service changes.
To learn more about the new automated garbage collection system or ask specific questions, residents can attend the open house or visit the city’s website.
The Operations Department can also be reached at 204-239-8346.
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