VWRM communications manager Andrew Garrett said cottage bins prone to abuse are being removed on a case-by-case basis. This has been happening gradually over the past few years and has evolved into a pilot project that includes collection on some private roads.
“We are instead providing end-of-driveway service if the road is accessible by a collection truck and issuing green carts (for compostable materials) to those wishing to utilize this service,” Garrett said in a July 4 email.
Garrett said this is the case on Falkenham Road and Black Duck Lake Road in East Dalhousie, for example. Other areas are receiving collection at the end of private roads, where they intersect with public roads. More cottage bins could be removed in the future.
VWRM bylaw enforcement officer and Nova Scotia Environment inspector Grace Proszynska said one cottage bin is supposed to serve everybody on a given private road but this can’t happen when bins are being abused.
Sometimes people living on public roads who get regular bi-weekly collection choose to put waste in or around the bins.
“Often times it’s not sorted but even if it’s sorted they’re not allowed to do it because they take space away from the residents on private roads where collection does not occur,” Proszynska said.
Sometimes cottagers and people living on private roads put waste in excess of the limit of four bags of garbage and four bags of recyclables in or around the cottage bins. Sometimes people leave truckloads of unsorted waste of all varieties, blocking access to the bins for others. Animals come along and tear bags apart, creating a huge mess.
Proszynska said both private and public road residents are often leaving waste from renovation projects in and around the bins, which is not permitted.
She said there are only two occasions during the year, for spring and fall clean up days, when it’s allowable for residents on private roads to leave waste in excess of the bag limits at the cottage bins.
Proszynska said people unhappy with the unsightly mess often call VWRM to come and clean it up. She said there are bins they could visit every third day and find a new pile. It’s a problem costing taxpayers money.
She said there are more than 60 cottage bins located in Kings and Annapolis counties. There have always been large signs on bin doors including waste sorting rules to inform people that the bin is for the use of residents who do not receive curbside collection.
However, some users haven’t gotten the message. There are now signs posted saying “For Homes on Private Roads Only – No Public Dumping – Violators Will Be Prosecuted”.
VWRM has also produced a four-page colour pamphlet called “Sorting Waste in Cottage Country” that is being sent to property owners associations for distribution. It includes sorting guides, describes disposal requirements and disposal options for regular waste and special streams such as electronics, tires and household hazardous materials including paint. It also offers presentations to members of property owners associations.
Proszynska said they’re increasing the frequency of inspections to try to determine the origin of the waste. They sometimes find names and addresses on envelopes, for example. Education is a big part of enforcement and warnings are usually the first course of action. For second offences, bylaw tickets carrying fines of $150 are issued.
She said property owners take pride in their homes and cottages and are taking the lead by reporting strange vehicles or photographing apparent offences.
“It’s environmental stewardship and we appreciate this very much,” Proszynska said.
Members of the Sunrise Ridge Property Owners Association recently completed a volunteer clean up of cottage bins that service their area at Aylesford Lake.
Did you know?
The following cottage bins were removed in the spring of 2017:
- Scott’s Bay, Highway 358, Kings County.
- Black Duck Lake, East Dalhousie, Kings County.
- Fisher Lake, Highway 8, Annapolis County.
The following cottage bins were removed in 2016:
- Falkenham Road, East Dalhousie, Kings County.
- Morden, Kings County.
- Aylesford Lake Beach, North River Road, Kings County.
- Tupper Lake, North River Road access, Kings County.
The following bins were removed prior to 2016:
- Medford, Kings County.
- Baxter’s Harbour, Kings County.
