Councillors in Gibsons have approved a two-year garbage collection contract with Grayco Ventures Ltd., and a plan to solicit bids for an “organics diversion program.”
Grayco and the Town’s current waste collection company, Direct Disposal, both responded to a call for proposals. The Grayco bid came in about $110,000 lower than Direct Disposal’s.
Mayor Wayne Rowe expressed concerns about changing from a well-established provider. “Cost is one factor but capacity is also a factor,” he said. “The current service provider has been providing service for a number of years and there’s been, to my knowledge, very little complaint from our residents with respect to that service … [With] a change after many years of service, I suspect there will be some initial confusion and disruption … Hopefully those issues can be overcome.”
Sechelt-based Grayco already has the contract to haul bio-solids from the Town’s sewer plant, and is also the contractor for the District of Sechelt’s curbside organics pilot project and handles garbage collection for the Sechelt Indian Government District.
Director of finance Ian Poole told council that given the company’s experience, he’s confident it has the capacity to take on the Town’s garbage collection.
The contract will start March 1. The Town had hoped to coordinate a contract with the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD), but that didn’t work out. The SCRD has yet to announce the results of its separate bidding process.
Coun. Jeremy Valeriote said the Town made the right move by not just extending the current contract because it opens up the option for things like a change to pay-as-you-throw and adding organics. “We’re not just kicking the can down the road for another two years,” he said.
Valeriote also supported issuing a request for proposals on organics diversion as soon as possible.
Coun. Silas White said he hopes that regardless of the outcome of that process the Town won’t create a program that acts as a disincentive to home composting. “That would certainly honour the work the [zero waste] committee did, if a way can be found to encourage people to start at home when it comes to limiting their waste and ensuring waste doesn’t go to the landfill.”
Grayco representatives were in the council chamber for the vote, and afterwards Rowe welcomed the company aboard. “We do understand there might be a bit of a learning curve or hiccups initially, but hopefully you will do everything you can to overcome those and smooth them out as quickly as possible,” he said.
