Work is underway to modernize curbside collection across service areas in the years to come.
While the current contract doesn’t expire until the end of June of 2025, the City has recently issued a request for proposals from qualified contractors to support the City’s transition from a manual to an automated collection system.
It is important to note that changes to the current collection methods will not occur until late 2026 or early 2027. Once the next service contract has been awarded, staff will work with the contractor to develop a comprehensive transition plan. This will determine timelines for switching to a cart-based collection system as well as any other potential modifications to the collection program.
As part of the transition process, staff will develop a community communication plan to ensure the residents of Mission know what to expect well in advance, and give folks an opportunity to look at sample collection carts before they are distributed.
In both the recent curbside collection service survey and our annual Citizen Satisfaction Survey, we heard from residents who receive this service that they want a system that is automated and uses larger, standardized collection carts. Read the full reports on mission.ca/public-engagement.
Waste collection across the country is moving toward automation. Some contractors are no longer willing to collect waste manually due to the increased potential for worker injury and staff burnout leading to higher staff turnover. Automated collection still requires staffing to operate and maintain trucks. In fact, the staffing requirements between automated, manual, or semi-automated are very similar.
Automated collection has many benefits including a system that has larger, easy to roll carts, which removes the heavy lifting on collection day.
Stay tuned for more on this project as we roll forward into this new era!
Curbside Collection Project FAQ
There will be no change to the current collection schedule or method of collection until 2027 at the earliest.
Once the contract has been awarded, staff will work with the contractor to develop a comprehensive transition plan that will determine timelines for the transition to a cart-based collection system as well as any other potential modifications to the collection program. Specific details and timelines are not available at this time.
Once details are confirmed and timelines set, staff will develop a communication plan that will be used for community outreach and engagement.
Automated collection will provide residents with larger, easy to roll carts, which removes the heavy lifting on collection day. Other benefits include:
Less potential for weather related collection delays caused by collection crews struggling in extreme weather.
Reduces problems related to cart/lid placement post-collection.
Reduces litter at curbside as carts are sturdier, less prone to tipping over, the lids are also heavier and attached to the lid therefore less likely to blow open in the wind.
Reduces the potential for worker injury compared to manual collection.
Broadens the pool of contractors willing to bid on the curbside collection contract. Some are no longer willing to collect waste manually due to the increased potential for worker injury and staff burnout leading to higher staff turnover.
Improvement of curbside aesthetics by presenting a cleaner and more uniform appearance through consistent cart styles.
Increased efficiency using onboard truck software and cart tracking capability.
The determination of any additional costs is a part of the RFP process. There are many variables involved that would affect the final cost and it is not possible to know before the competitive bid process has been completed.
Once the contract is awarded, and specifics are finalized, the City of Mission will diligently assess how these potential costs may impact residents. The decision on whether and how to translate these costs to residents will be made by Council, keeping in mind the responsibility to make informed decisions that benefit the community.
Extending the current collection area may be considered through the RFP process, however, would require additional review of current and future growth in these areas and would be a Council decision. Currently those outside of the collection area can hire their own private service provider for waste and recycling collection.
The company will be chosen through the competitive bid process, the successful bidder will not be known until the Request for Proposal (RFP) has been awarded.
Automated collection still requires staffing to operate and maintain trucks. The staffing requirements between automated, manual, or semi-automated would be negligible.
