WHEREAS the City currently operates a Special Considerations Program which offers eligible residents the ability to set-out diapers and incontinence products for collection on the off week when garbage is not collected; and
WHEREAS a review of the program was undertaken as part of the Curbside Waste Diversion Policy project to address resident concerns about the impact that a reduced garbage item set-out limit may have on unavoidable medical waste; and
WHEREAS on June 14, 2023, Council considered the staff report Committee and Council titled “Curbside Waste Diversion Policy” (ACS2023-PWD-SWS-0003), and approved Motion 2023-16-06 to implement a program with a bi-weekly firm set-out limit of three garbage items; and
WHEREAS the original staff report had included a recommendation that the current Special Considerations Program be expanded to also include non-hazardous medical waste, including casts, catheters, colostomy bags (empty and rinsed), disposable pads, gloves, masks, gowns and aprons, dialysis wastes (i.e. tubing, filters, disposable towels and sheets); gastric and nasal tubes (empty and rinsed); IV bags and tubing (empty and rinsed); soiled dressings; and
WHEREAS expanding the Special Considerations Program to include non-hazardous medical waste could cost up to an estimated additional $150,000; and
WHEREAS no recommendations regarding the Special Considerations program were considered or adopted by Council on June 14, 2023;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council approve the expansion of the Special Considerations Program to include non-hazardous medical waste and that the additional operating costs of the program be incorporated in the draft 2024 budget.