CBRM to realize $5M benefit after outsourcing handling of recyclables, composting

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) has recently announced plans to outsource the handling of recycling products and composting materials, but reassures residents that the process of putting out blue bags and green bins will remain the same. According to CBRM public works director John Phalen, the municipality is simply changing the way they process these materials, with no impact on residents’ curbside routines.

The decision to gradually close down the composting facility in Sydney, N.S., and sell the recycling sorting facility in Point Edward was made in order to save the municipality approximately $2.5 million in annual operating costs. The sale of the recycling facility, valued at $890,000, will also provide a cash injection and increase the commercial tax base once the recycling operation is sold.

Phalen explained that the recycling facility was costing CBRM about $1 million annually to operate, as the municipality struggled to find a market for the products collected in blue bags. However, a large company that already processes recyclables has expressed interest in purchasing the municipality’s processing operation in Point Edward.

With the province implementing extended producer responsibility (EPR) in January, manufacturers of packaging and other materials will be responsible for the cost of processing. This initiative will see the government collect fees from producers and distribute them to processors and municipalities that collect blue bags.

In addition to the cost savings, Phalen stated that CBRM expects to earn about $2.5 million for collecting blue bags, which will more than cover the expenses. The decision to close the composting facility was also influenced by the need for approximately $1 million in repairs and upgrades, as well as complaints from residents and shoppers about the facility’s inefficiency and odor.

Residents will continue to have access to free compost giveaways, with the remaining compostables being sent to a landfill site in Guysborough County for processing. Phalen emphasized that the decision to outsource these operations will not result in job losses for staff, but rather reassignments to other duties within the municipality.

The unanimous support from councillors for these changes highlights the potential benefits for CBRM, with an estimated $5 million in savings and new revenue each year. Mayor Cecil Clarke acknowledged the demands for increased spending on infrastructure projects, emphasizing the importance of making informed decisions to effectively manage the municipality’s finances.