The Island Waste Management Corporation (IWMC) today announced details of adjustments to the rates levied for the provincial Waste Watch program.
This marks the first rate adjustment since the Waste Watch program went province wide in July, 2002. Since that time, many operating expenses such as fuel costs have experienced significant increases due to global change. Additionally, successful adoption of the program by Islanders has led to greater than expected volumes of waste being collected which has also increased operating expenses.
“The Waste Watch program is unique to Canada for several reasons,” said Island Waste Management Corporation CEO Gerry Moore. “In addition to being the only program of its kind to operate province wide, the program operates on a full cost recovery principle. This means that the program is funded by household users and tippage fees rather than through government programs. This rate adjustment reflects part of our ongoing efforts, along with identifying operational savings, to properly balance revenues and expenses in the program.”
Currently, the annual household user rate of $155 provides for 71 household collections a year; a free Saturday morning Blue Bag drop off; household hazardous waste drop off; no charge for drop off of white goods such as appliances and other large, bulky household items; as well as a maximum cap of $15 per load for excess residential waste. The household user rate also covers the cost of regional Waste Watch Drop Off Centers, transportation costs for waste disposal, the East Prince Waste Management Facility, the Central Compost Facility, and ongoing education and support services for Island business and residents.
The new annual household user rate will be adjusted to $175. The rate for cottages will be adjusted from its current rate of $60 to $75. Commercial tippage fees at final disposal centers will be adjusted from $80 a tonne to $95 a tonne. The Waste Watch Drop Off fee will be adjusted from $95 a tonne to $110 a tonne. The household and cottage rate adjustments will take effect with the new property tax bill in April; the commercial tippage and Waste Watch Drop Off fee adjustments will take effect on February 1, 2005.
“Since Waste Watch was extended across the Island nearly three years ago, I have been impressed by the efforts of Islanders and businesses to adapt,” said Transportation and Public Works Minister Gail Shea. “Through the efforts of Islanders, we have made significant progress in enhancing the quality of our environment which will benefit our generation and generations of Islanders to come.”
Island Waste Management Corporation (IWMC) is the provincial Crown Agency that manages and administers solid waste management services province wide. Among these services are the delivery of the Waste Watch program, Canada’s only province-wide source separation waste management system. Since the Waste Watch program went province wide in 2002, nearly 600 million pounds of organic waste has been diverted from Island landfills, offering significant protection to the Island’s groundwater supply and positioning Prince Edward Island as a national leader in responsible environmental stewardship practices.
For more information, please contact Gerry Moore, CEO Island Waste Management Corporation, 894-0330.