Engagement Findings

Thank you to everyone who provided input on the BeWasteWise: Green Organics Cart project. The BeWasteWise: Green Organics Cart page received 1,710 visitors, 133 survey participations, 9 contributions to the forum, and 5 ideas. This summary information is intended to provide high-level, overall themes to general input. It is not statistically valid, and interpretation is discretionary. This information is one of many influencing factors in helping Council and Administration make decisions.

What We Heard

An emerging trend from the forum feedback was the desire of residents living in multi-residential complexes to have access to the Green Organics Cart program. When the program launched in 2011, multi-residential complexes were given the opportunity to opt in or out of the program. Many complexes chose to opt out because they were already paying a third-party contractor for landscaping and yard maintenance, or they had limited space to store a second cart.

Most respondents indicated they receive information on “What Goes Where?” from the City’s website or the BeWasteWise App. A small number of respondents stated that if they do not know if an item is accepted in the Green Organics Cart, they will guess. Other respondents stated that if they are unsure of where an item goes, they will place it in the garbage.

Contamination in the Green Organics Cart reduces the quality of the finished product and can increase program costs. Currently, visibly contaminated carts are tagged and not collected. In terms of enforcement measures, 88% of respondents support tagging and not collecting, while at least a third of respondents also supported each of the following: inspections, fines, and removal from the program after consistent misuse.