Recycling collection delays in Barrie prompt additional resources
Recycling collection crews in Barrie are playing catch-up, picking up Friday's bins on Tuesday, to the frustration of many residents.
"It's crazy. It's been sitting out here for like four days. I had to clean it up this morning. It's kind of been thrown all around by the snow plow," said Barrie resident Allie Kamel.
The City said several issues are behind the delay, including weather and staffing issues, plus crews were already behind due to the Family Day long weekend.
Recycling bins covered in snow sit at the curb of a residence in Barrie, Ont. (CTV News/Rob Cooper)
"The contractor has brought in more trucks from other regions, as well as additional contractors to catch up," noted Scott Lamantia, City of Barrie.
Crews may collect blue bins on Saturday to ensure recycling collection is back on track.
However, a potential snowstorm by the week's end could make things challenging as many residents continue to dig out their snow-covered bins at the curb.
Environment Canada says more snow is possible on Friday, reminding residents that winter isn't quite over yet.
Dave Phillips, Environment Canada senior climatologist, noted the last 10 months have been warmer than usual in the City of Barrie, with just two days below -20C, whereas last year, the temperatures plunged below -20C on 17 days.
"On average, we get about 46 centimetres of snow in the Barrie area after the first of March, so about 17 per cent of our annual total is yet to fall on average," explained Phillips.
Meanwhile, the City said it would be moving away from Waste Connections, the company currently handling curbside collection, and had awarded the new contract to a different contractor following a "competitive RFP (request for proposals)."
The City added the current collection delays "didn't impact" its decision to go with a new company.
The new contract starts in May 2024.
The recycling delays do not impact garbage and organics collection, the City concluded.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.