Curbside recycling too expensive for residents, say Whitehorse city officials

City waste managers in Whitehorse are advising councillors to reject a $1.2 million plan for curbside recycling, after deeming the program too expensive for residents.

Councillors have been split on whether to pursue curbside pickup, so the city issued a Request for Proposals to get an idea how much the program would cost and how it might work.

At a council meeting Monday night, councillors learned that the lowest bid came in at $17 a month per household, or about $200 a year. That fee would be in addition to the $11 monthly garbage fees the 6,000 households in Whitehorse already pay. 

The city would also have to spend at least half a million dollars to provide the recycling carts required for the service and administering the program.

"There is no budget for this service," said Shannon Clohosey, the city's sustainability manager.

As subcontractor to the proposal, it's not the answer Yukon's cash-strapped Raven Recycling Society was looking for.

"If this tender isn't accepted, we have to make some changes," said president Jaqueline Bedard.

She wouldn't say how operations might be affected, but said Raven Recycling needs the money to stay afloat.

Joy Snyder, Raven Recycling's executive director, said if residents want a blue box pickup, they should contact the mayor and council.

Councillors will vote on the proposed contract at next week's meeting.