Mark Squibb \ April 21, 2023
Free annual bulk garbage collection in the City of Mount Pearl begins May 1, but one City councillor is encouraging residents to consider donating items rather than tossing them to the curb.
“I just wanted to throw it out there, that if you have some furniture or some gently used items that can perhaps be re-homed, rather than throw it out to the curb, donate it to a furniture bank or some of the thrift shops that will gladly take it,” said Isabelle Fry. “It’s a win-win because it keeps items out of the landfills, and they get re-homed, and that’s always a good thing.”
Councillor Jim Locke noted in past years the City had an ‘upcycling’ program wherein council would encourage residents to donate gently used items.
“If bulk garbage was on a Monday, the Sunday before we would put it out on our front lawns and people knew that whatever you put out on your front lawn that Sunday, it was free for the taking,” said Locke.
Director of Public Works Glen Dollimount confirmed Locke’s suspicion that the program fell to the wayside during COVID and added that while the program is not currently in effect, staff could look at implementing it again next year.
Locke said the program had a big uptake and helped reduce the amount of bulk garbage staff had to carry to the landfill.
“So, it reduced our workload, but equally important, if not more important, it reduced perfectly good things, as councillor Fry said, from going into the landfill. So, maybe we’ll put that on our agenda for next year.”
The free bulk garbage collection, once it begins May 1, will last for five weeks.
Loose materials must be bundled, boxed, or in clear bags, and not exceed 50 pounds. Residents must also separate metals from other bulk garbage.
