A new five-year garbage and recycling contract is in place in Whitecourt

Whitecourt Town Council recently discussed the community’s curbside garbage and recycling contract. In June, Administration sent out a request for waste hauling companies interested in applying for the agreement to take over the core service. “When we advertised the Request for Proposals, we did get a strong response. We can see that the proponents are not only local, within our community, but they also reach outside of our community,” explained Juan Grande, Whitecourt’s Infrastructure Services Manager.

“When we went through the evaluation process, we were very careful in making sure that our current levels of service were met. We also asked for innovations; what else could they bring to Whitecourt that they can provide to residents for services,” said Grande. He added that pricing for any innovations was also considered, moving a company up or down in the evaluation process.

“We had four proponents, three of them local and one outside of our community. That’s actually good to see,” said Grande. The four companies that applied for the contract were Green for Life Environmental (GFL), Prairie Disposal, Integrity Waste Solutions, and Local Environmental Services. The companies were evaluated and scored based on criteria that included their cost, compliance with minimum service requirements, qualify of service and reference, completeness of their proposal, and their compatibility with existing programs.

To maintain the current level of service, applying companies had to show that they could adequately supply weekly collection, hauling and disposal of residential solid waste using 65-gallon totes to be disposed of at the Whitecourt Regional Landfill. They also had to show their ability to collect weekly curbside collection and processing of residential recycling using the blue bag program, with material brought to a recycling facility approved by Alberta Environment and Parks. Monthly reporting of waste and recycling tonnage was another requirement, as was being able to develop a comprehensive education campaign. The campaign had to include pamphlets outlining curbside collection changes, reminders in different formats, school presentations on best practices at least once a year, and a public information session should there be any significant program changes.

Of the four, Administration recommended that Council proceed with a five-year contract with GFL, with the option to renew for two more years if mutually agreeable. The previous agreement was held by GFL and was split between curbside garbage collection and recycling, with different expiration dates. The new contract features both services together in one contract.

Town CAO Peter Smyl explained to Council that a five-year contract was typical. He explained that after five years if new services warranted ending the contract, they could do that and seek a new tendering process. “But, if it’s the same and Council is happy with the service that is being provided, then we can go for an additional two years.”

Councillor Tara Baker asked if the contract only encompassed residential. “This is only for the residential collection and for the recycling, blue bag program. It encompasses those two core services, and then any proponent was invited to add more if they saw that it would fit within those core services,” responded Grande. Smyl added that other components could be added later if required.

Councillor Paul Chauvet asked for information about the commercial aspect of refuse collection. “The commercial pick up is provided by the private sector, so any business here in town would typically contact any of these four proponents and arrange for pick up. We know the bulk of the waste we receive is from the industrial and commercial sectors. I think that at a later date, some of the strategies to divert some of that material will be brought back to council,” explained Grande.

GFL has provided waste services for the Town of Whitecourt for over eight years. In the public package provided to Council, Administration noted that “GFL is already familiar with routes/schedules and has a sound understanding of expectations and scope of work. Being one of the leading waste management contractors in Canada and the region, GFL is uniquely positioned to provide a high level of service at reasonable prices.”

Council voted unanimously to approve the contract for curbside collection of residential waste and recyclables to Green for Life Environmental (GFL) for a five-year contract, plus the option for an additional two years of renewal. Councillor Lapointe did not vote due to a conflict of interest. Administration noted that the feasibility of composting programs in Whitecourt is currently in the exploration stage and that the impact of enhancing the recycling program will be a future topic of discussion.