THUNDER BAY — GFL Environmental, the company contracted to manage the curbside recycling system in Thunder Bay, says it will work with individuals concerned about their ability to use the new containers.
The 360-litre wheeled bins will go into use at the beginning of July.
A number of city residents have already spoken out about their size and weight, saying they are too large for seniors or physically-challenged individuals to move them from their house to the street for collection.
"Pulling the container, while empty, when it was dropped off at the end of my driveway into my garage was daunting. To have that container loaded with recycled materials will be impossible," Pat Izsak said in a submission to TBnewswatch. "And what about when winter arrives and we all have snow on our driveways?"
In an interview, Izsak said she's a senior living alone, with a long driveway.
"I honestly can't see that I would be able to even use that cart the way it is is now because it's so heavy to start with. And then, if you load it up, there's no way."
She added that even though she's an avid advocate of recycling, she's not prepared to risk her health "to move that monstrosity."
TBnewswatch reached out about this issue this week to GFL as well as to Circular Materials, the administrator of the common collection system on behalf of all packaging producers operating in Ontario.
Circular Materials responded Wednesday, saying in a written statement that it had contacted GFL and was able to confirm the contractor "will be working with Thunder Bay residents to support these accessibility concerns on a case-by-case basis."
Allen Langdon, CEO of Circular Materials, advised that anyone requiring assistance should contact GFL's customer service team.
GFL's Ontario vice president, Chris Dovigi, also replied in writing, saying "we will be working with residents to make any necessary provisions on a case-by-case basis. We understand the importance of supporting recycling efforts and are committed to supporting residents during this transition."
Neither executive provided details of how people challenged to work with the recycling bins might be accommodated.
Crown Street resident Barb Hajdu is among the people waiting to hear what GFL has in mind.
Because her house is on a hill, she has to take a seven-step staircase to get from the yard to street-level.
She said that because she has two tenants, she now has three of the new bins sitting on the sidewalk.
"I am not moving them. I'm not physically capable of moving those things, especially up and down the stairs. They're huge. You could hide a human being in there."
The City of Thunder Bay no longer has any responsibility for the residential recycling program, since the province has handed the job over to packaging producers.
But Red River ward councillor Michael Zussino is concerned the size of the bins may keep them sitting empty at some households.
"I know we need to move in this direction. But I think this is going to maybe dissuade people from using it, unfortunately, because it might be too heavy for them to bring it out . . . I think we need, as a society, to get into becoming more environmentally conscious, and recycle more. But ultimately, if it becomes an imposition, maybe people might not."
Current River ward councillor Andrew Foulds has heard from a couple of constituents who have concerns about manoeuvring the bins in the winter.
"I'm hopeful that GFL recognizes that there may be some challenges, and I'm really hopeful that they can come up with some solutions for them," he told TBnewswatch.
Foulds said this is a very new process, and will require getting used to.
"I think we also need to give this some time, and I do think we need to be perhaps a little bit patient."
GFL says residents who require assistance or have questions about the use of recycling carts should contact the company's customer service team at
1-844-870-4351.
