City officials are exploring solutions to illegal dumping, including a big bin pilot project launching in 2027, after a utility committee report on Monday attributed overflowing garbage bins to improper sorting rather than the loss of weekly pickup.
Improper sorting blamed for bin overflow
Ward O-day’min Coun. Anne Stevenson said the primary cause of bins filling up is residents not sorting their waste correctly. “It’s not only waste, but also the recycling and food scraps. So the solution to that is not necessarily more frequent pickup, the solution to that is better sorting,” she told the committee.
The city offers an excess waste program for multi-unit properties, with scheduled pick-up at $6.25 per month or on-demand service at $23 per cubic yard, Stevenson noted.
Cost burden on property owners
Officials have struggled with people dumping furniture, appliances, and other large items at dumpsters. The committee heard that even if property owners can prove the items came from outsiders—and if the city identifies and fines the culprit—owners still bear the cleanup costs.
In response, Ward pihêsiwin Coun. Mike Elliott proposed a motion, passed unanimously, directing administration to explore reimbursing property owners using fine revenue. A report is due in November.
Proposed solutions: cameras, education, and fines
The city is also considering expanding free hours at Eco Stations to weekdays and educating property managers on best practices, including installing cameras to capture licence plates of dump-and-run vehicles. If officials have a plate linked to illegal dumping, they can mail a fine to the vehicle owner.
Other improvements include revising waste collection bylaws to increase fines, which will be presented to council.
Large item collection pilot in 2027
The centerpiece of the city’s plan is a new large item collection program, either pre-service or on-demand, with a city-wide pilot project in 2027. Stevenson expressed support but cautioned that waste collection costs can escalate quickly. “I think continuing to evolve our program, while managing costs overall, is a great approach,” she said. “If there are different ways we can offer those services that meet Edmontonians’ needs, then I’m all for it.”
