WINNIPEG - October 21, 2009 - The City’s Executive Policy Committee (EPC) today approved a staff report recommending that the Water and Waste Department consult with citizens about the city’s recycling services.

The EPC also asked the Department to prepare a report by next January that would investigate options for a program on curbside pickup of leaves, yard waste, and organics.

The recycling report, prepared by the Water and Waste Department, was previously approved by the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works on October 13, 2009, and will now go forward for City Council’s consideration next Wednesday, October 28.

If Council approves the report, the Department will hold open houses and conduct an online survey to educate the public and get residents’ views about the recycling program.

The report also recommends issuing a tender for a seven-year contract for collection of recycling, and asks bidders to price out three collection options. The first option would continue the current practice of weekly collection with blue boxes, the second would be automated cart collection using 240-litre carts, and the third bi-weekly automated collection using 240- or 360-litre carts.

The Water and Waste Department is including the option of automated cart collection for recycling because it is a more environmentally friendly, cost-effective method, that would also reduce worker injuries.

WINNIPEG - October 21, 2009 - The public is advised that, due to concrete repairs to the surface of the pathway, the Assiniboine Park Footbridge will be closed until approximately 6:00 p.m. tomorrow, October 22, 2009. The footbridge will be closed again from 6:30 a.m. on Monday, October 26, to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27.