The remaining 25 tonnes is predominantly deposited by business and commercial sources. The recycling depot at VSTS will remain available for that stream of recyclables. It is proposed that the mini-depots be decommissioned on April 1, 2000. Prior to decommissioning the mini-depots, staff will investigate replacing them with cardboard recycling containers. In many apartment buildings cardboard disposal is difficult as it must be collapsed and sometimes cut in order to fit into the recycling carts.
Residents often leave the cardboard near the carts instead of placing it in the carts.
A cardboard collection service at the current mini-depot sites may alleviate this potential problem by providing a convenient alternative for recycling of larger quantities of cardboard. However, it is too early to tell if this service is needed. Staff contacted managers at all the mini-depot sites to determine whether a cardboard only depot could be supported at their site. Response was generally positive as most managers felt the service would benefit the community. Utility Rate Included in the approval to implement the Apartment Recycling Program, City Council recommended funding the program annual operating cost via user fees charged to each dwelling unit through the Solid Waste Utility.