Survey says: More Hamiltonians would recycle if only....

Hamiltonians would recycle more if additional materials were included in blue boxes, such as Styrofoam and black plastic, and if the entire process was simplified.

An online survey conducted by SNC-Lavalin of over 5,500 people and focus groups that totalled 17 people representing local businesses, multi-residential residents and single-family homeowners this past January and February also found that the city needs to improve how it educates residents about waste collection and reduction.

For instance, the city has an app called Recycling Coach App that provides people with recycling information, but nearly 70 per cent of the respondents didn't know Hamilton even had it.

The study found that if the blue box program accepted additional materials, nearly 90 per cent of residents would use the blue box and almost 75 per cent of people would start using the green organic containers.

Even though the city had 5,554 responses to the online survey, only 3,778 people completed it. SNC-Lavalin officials said one of the criticisms of the survey from respondents was that it was too long. Most of the respondents identified as living in Hamilton, while only 10 per cent identified as living in Stoney Creek. People who said they lived in Ancaster, Dundas and Flamborough comprised about five per cent of the respondents.

The focus group information found that for local businesses to boost their recycling programs, the city would have to add more materials to be recycled. Businesses also would improve their recycling if there was a financial aspect to it.

But if the city imposed a fee for using all trash bags, nearly 50 per cent of people wouldn't accept it. Hamilton approved a one-bag limit in 2010, but allows a limited sale of bag tags to put on additional containers.

The survey found that a majority of people who live in multi-residential units recycle. But those citizens living in townhouses or apartments who don't recycle say the reason is because of a lack of information and/or limited recycling containers provided to them.

Property managers of multi-residential units didn't like using green bins because it was not worth the effort."

It is clear we need more plans for (waste) education and outreach to multi-residents," said Waste Management Advisory Committee member Kevin Hunt.

Angela Storey, director of recycling and waste disposal, said waste staff are reviewing programs and education campaigns for multi-residential units, and recommendations will be provided to the advisory committee in September.

Citizens also complained that with the city banning leaf and yard waste in green bins, the containers are too large" for their needs. Other issues associated with the green bins include odours, pests and the inability to replace the containers.

Single-family homeowners overall liked Hamilton's waste collection system and recycling programs. But improvements they would like to see, according to the survey, included improved education information, adopting innovative policies, providing better collection and having bins with wheels and lids that don't blow over because of the wind.

Residents would like the recycling bins to accept Styrofoam, black plastic and packaging and containers.

For people who don't recycle, the main reasons were that it was too much effort," collection issues were too complicated and they were unsure what could be recycled.

The study found that the city should boost its waste and recycling education programs, improve the containers and increase enforcement.

Residents did support the city examining waste technologies to improve recycling and collection, but only if it was cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Examples of some of the technologies that had residents' support included energy from waste, pelletization of solid waste and anaerobic digestion.

One result that stood out for Mountain Coun. John-Paul Danko, chair of the advisory committee, was the 70 per cent of residential support - from 3,925 respondents to the survey - for stepped-up enforcement of waste management. That could include allowing curbside monitoring for proper recycling and waste protocols, requirements for clear bags, imposing fines for improper separation and limiting access to garbage chute areas in multi-residential units.

There is strong support for enhanced curbside monitoring," said Danko.

The results of the survey and focus groups will be incorporated into the 2020 Sold Waste Management Master Plan update. The document, which provides a blueprint for the city's waste recycling and diversion programs and was created in 2001, was last updated in 2012.