Agenda Item No.: D.2.a.
Garbage Receptacle on Construction sites (J. Melnychuk)
Recommendation:
That the August 25, 2003, Planning and
Development Department report be received
for information.
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Report Summary
This report is in response to an
administrative inquiry on garbage
receptacles.
Previous Council/Committee Action
At the June 17, 2003, City Council meeting,
Councillor J. Melnychuk made the following
inquiry:
“It has come to my attention that there
are no legal requirements to place a
garbage receptacle on an active
construction site.
I would like an Administrative report on
the following:
1. Is this true?
2. Would it be feasible for the City to
require a garbage bin on all
construction sites?
3. What steps would need to be taken in
order for the City to require a
garbage bin on all construction sites?
4. Provide any other relevant
information.
I would like the report to come back to
the Community Services Committee.”
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
Report
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Under the Municipal Government Act
the City is granted authority to establish
and maintain a system for the collection,
removal and disposal of waste. The
Solid Waste Bylaw 6903 regulates
storage and collection of waste
containers and material, but makes no
Routing:
Delegation:
Written By:
August 25, 2003
File: 2003PDD021
Community Services Committee
Mark Garrett
David Aitken
Planning and Development Department
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provision for the placement of garbage
receptacles on construction sites.
Development Compliance Branch has
reservations about the feasibility of
requiring garbage bins on all Edmonton
construction sites. These concerns relate
to defining and tracking construction
activity, building industry apprehension,
monitoring and enforcement, availability
of bins, aesthetics and bin placement.
To use a definition such as “construction
site” to facilitate the monitoring and
inspection of litter and waste levels
would have difficulties. Although the
City issues development permits and
building permits for both minor and
major commercial and residential
development there are many types of
construction activity not covered that
contribute to garbage and litter and
would be difficult to track. Trying to
develop language that allows
identification of a site and responsible
party(s), without being overly broad or
narrow raises a number of issues
regarding interpretation and bylaw
application. The Law Branch also noted
issues drafting a bylaw to capture active
versus non-active sites, internal or
external construction, utility or industrial
construction.
The Greater Edmonton Home Builders
Association (GEHBA) in discussion
with the Development Compliance
Branch suggests continuation of existing
bylaw enforcement, improved
communication and industry education.
They believe the current number of
municipal bylaws are able to deal with
blowing litter and garbage storage
without the need for mandatory garbage
receptacles. The GEHBA regularly
D
2
a
Garbage Receptacle on Construction sites (J. Melnychuk)
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encourages its members to effectively
and professionally manage their
businesses and construction waste.
Reminders are made at regular meetings
and information is circulated to over 350
member firms in monthly newsletters.
Municipal enforcement staff currently
monitors and takes action against messy
construction sites. Enforcement of this
type requires clear identification of
responsible parties, short enforcement
timeframes, adequate remedies and, in
consideration of mandatory bins, an
ability to determine when construction
has started or fully concluded.
Historically, adoption of broad
mandatory legislation requires additional
enforcement resources.
The City has over 10,000 construction
permits on record in 2002 and is on pace
for similar numbers in 2003. The
numbers of bins and suitable sizes to
accommodate these construction starts
are not available in Edmonton. Initial
inquiries found a significant bin shortage
in Edmonton to meet such a large
demand. One of Edmonton’s largest
disposal companies reportedly has only
50 surplus bins (40 yard and 6 yard bins)
during the summer for any increased
demand.
In reviewing the feasibility of requiring
bins to accompany construction activity
consideration should given to aesthetics
and bin placement. The City receives
complaints concerning the unsightliness
of large garbage bins, the blockage of
site lines and placement of bins in close
proximity to private property. In some
cases the placement of large bins over
the full construction period could be
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(Page 2 of 2)
viewed as more of a detriment than the
storage of material or waste concerns.
When bin placement on private property
is not possible road right-of-way is often
used. If bins were mandatory the
problem of sidewalk and boulevard
damage, reduction in available parking
and pedestrian safety concerns would
increase. Mandatory requirements would
also be contrary to the current 30-day
maximum placement policy. The
Transportation and Streets Department is
currently revamping placement policies
in light of these growing problems.
Development Compliance Branch
recognizes the need to develop a
comprehensive strategy to address the
concerns and problems with construction
site litter and waste. Ongoing education
and communication to all stakeholders is
essential. The Planning and
Development Department’s “Bylaw
Friendly” communication initiative is
designed to communicate and liase with
industry groups to address issues such as
increased litter. Increased awareness in
conjunction with enforcement of existing
bylaws, such as the Nuisance, Solid
Waste, Traffic, and Public Places Bylaw,
can deal with the problem of
construction site garbage and litter.