news

Cranbrook, BC (October 30, 2023) – Curbside recycling and garbage collection services will not be offered to strata communities or mobile home parks in Cranbrook after a decision from Council at their regular meeting Monday night.

Pressures around the inflationary costs on equipment, fuel, and the potential need to hire additional staff were significant factors in Council’s decision. This is especially significant given the challenges and competing demands for funding Council will be grappling with in the upcoming budget deliberations for 2024 and beyond.

“The additional garbage and recycling services could impact current service levels and reliability. It would impact the ability of staff to perform regular maintenance duties required to keep our regular fleet and equipment in service,” says Mayor Wayne Price.

The service levels of existing City staff and collection equipment are already nearing capacity, and adding new neighbourhoods in both strata and mobile home parks will strain the level of service across the community.

Strata properties and mobile home parks already pay third-party service providers to collect and remove garbage and recycling. Having the City take over these collection services will remove work from these business owners.

The City understands that as this community grows and develops, with new homes and development coming online, the City may be required to revisit this decision as the community's need for additional recycling and garbage collection grows.