City Eyes Service Fees for Recycling and Green Bin Pick-Up

Josh Pringle with Stephanie Kinsella
Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Ottawa homeowners could be receiving a bill for $195 next year for garbage, recycling and green bin organic recycling collection.

The Planning and Environment Committee's 2010 draft budget is recommending the city institute service fees to cover the cost of recycling and green bin recycling.

Homeowners currently pay an $86 annual utility bill which is attached to the final property tax bill in June.

If approved by Council as part of budget deliberations, the new system would include a $68 fee for the Green Bin organics recycling program and $41 for the blue and black box service. The move would remove the cost of blue and black box recycling from the property tax bill.

Rural homeowners would not pay the green bin fee because they won't get getting the service.

Chair of the Committee Peter Hume tells CFRA News it would be a "bargain" for the city to pick-up your garbage, blue and black box and Green Bin for $3 to $4.

Residential taxpayers would have to pay for the recycling and green bin programs.