By Cecilia Nasmith
Northumberland County council has voted to authorize staff to work with the Accessibility Advisory Committee on the potential for a From Door collection of recycling for qualifying individuals.
The report council received at its December meeting from Manager of Environmental and Technical Services Adam McCue mentioned complaints the county had begun receiving during its recent transition to the new Recycle Right program – when it was decided recyclables would no longer be accepted from clear or clear-blue bags but only from county-provided receptacle boxes.
Individuals with certain disabilities had difficulty getting these boxes to roadside, especially those who had disabilities relating to pain, mobility, dexterity and flexibility (as well as those who use assistive devices).
Options the report put forward include the possibility of alternative receptacles, permitting the bags for qualifying individuals, and the From Door model of service.
McCue's estimate is that 100 residents need this special consideration, and the From Door model would cost about $35,700 annually.
Councillor Gail Latchford extended her thanks to staff for taking the time to look into this issue and developing options - “making it work for those people who are in need of using the bags or something lighter than those heavy boxes.”
