Heather Wright/The Independent

You’ll soon be getting your new garbage and recycling wheelie bins.

Town of Petrolia Operations Director, Mike Thompson, said Monday Waste Management will begin using the automatic collection system, which requires the specialized wheelie carts, Dec. 4.

“This will entail the delivery of 64 gallon carts to all town residential properties, the
week of Nov. 18-29,” said Thompson in a report to council. “These automatic collection carts are issued through Waste Management, at no cost to the resident.”

Thompson says residents will receive two green 64 gallon carts, one with a yellow lid for recyclables and the other with a green lid for household waste.

“There will be no pickup of bags,” Thompson added. “Everything needs to go in the bin.” That means the bag tags available for residents with extra trash will no longer available.

But Thompson doesn’t expect people will need it anyway.

“A family that can survive with the bag limit today, I think there is enough room (in the bins.) You’ll probably find you can fit more garbage in these bins. We have a bin in our house and it’s unbelievable how much garbage you can put in.

“Residents will continue to receive the same level of service to their curbside collection as currently provided, with no changes to their collection dates or time,” Thompson added in his report.

Councillor Liz Welsh questioned where the bins will have to be put at the roadside. She notes Queen St. near St. Philips is filled with vehicles and it may be difficult for the drivers to see the bins. And she asked if downtown merchants had been informed.

Thompson says Waste Management will be contacting the merchants and he’ll review the issue on Queen Street. Thompson added many of the questions will be answered during a public meeting at town hall Nov. 14.