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Residents with new collection schedules will not have to wait longer than two weeks between their old and new pickup dates.
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The CVRD’s curbside collection program has been experiencing significant disruptions over the past several months due to ongoing mechanical failures in our ageing collection fleet. While two new curbside trucks have been ordered, they will not arrive until 2024 due to supply chain issues. Adding a Saturday collection day allows older trucks to have more repair and maintenance time, which will make it easier to stay ahead of breakdowns and restore levels of service until the new trucks arrive.
Letters will be sent to each residence that will experience a change in service, outlining the new pick-up date and subsequent collection schedule.
Residents are also encouraged to download the Cowichan Recycles app to receive notices for curbside disruptions and up-to-date collection schedules for their address.
We have been working hard to secure a rental truck from anywhere across North America, but few are available and those that exist are already rented by organizations that are also waiting on new collection vehicles. Garbage and recycling in the CVRD is collected by an automated system (drivers do not manually lift containers), and we need to rent a vehicle that suits our service requirements.
Drivers are currently working upwards of 12-hour shifts to maintain the current level of service. Collection late into the evening is already occurring, and pre-dawn collection can lead to totes being left out overnight which creates issues with wildlife.
Saturday collection reduces the size of current collection routes, allowing trucks to get routine maintenance and repairs as needed. Spreading out collection routes also ensures that a spare truck is available for backup if a breakdown occurs.
Until the two new collection vehicles arrive in 2024.