Results from a recycling survey, presented to Airdrie City council on Jan. 19, show that residents, while pleased with current recycling services, would like to see the City introduce curbside recycling.
The City of Airdrie asked residents for their feedback on current recycling services offered, potential curbside recycling options and potential upgrades to the existing recycling depots during a survey conducted over the phone from November 22 to 27, 2014, and online from November 7 to 21, 2014.
Tracy With, vice president of Bannister Research and Consulting Inc., who conducted the survey presented the results to Airdrie City council on Jan. 19. With said the number of people who took the time to complete the survey online – 3,526 – was the most she had ever seen in her 15 years as a researcher, indicating this is a topic about which residents are extremely passionate and opinionated. A total of 426 residents were contacted by telephone by Bannister.
When asked if they would be willing to pay for curbside recycling, 35 per cent of those surveyed by phone and 76 per cent of those completing the online survey said they were extremely supportive of the implementation of curbside recycling and of those, 45 per cent (phone) and 60 per cent (online) said they’d be willing to pay a waste management fee for the service.
Of those who would support a waste management fee to increase or enhance current recycling services, 58 per cent of those surveyed by phone were supportive of paying a fee between $5 and $10 per month to enhance the current depots. As well, 58 per cent were also supportive of curbside recycling at a cost of $5 to $10 per month. Of those completing the online survey, 56 per cent were not supportive of enhancements at the depot for any fee, while 76 per cent would pay from $5 to more than $16 for curbside service.
“Our web site sample base was obviously much more supportive of curbside recycling and not as quite as price sensitive to the fee,” With said.
With said respondents were asked if they would support improvements to the existing depots or the development of an additional depot. On the telephone survey, 42 per cent indicated they would prefer curbside recycling over enhanced depot service, and 50 per cent of those completing the online survey agreed.
The biggest barrier to the implementation of curbside recycling, With said, is the cost, with 44 per cent of those surveyed by phone, and 50 per cent completing the online survey concerned about the cost. With said respondents were provided with only a rough estimate of what the service might cost, which could have impacted the results as “it’s hard for them to agree to a service when they aren’t sure what the cost is going to be. They want to be more informed when they make a decision.”
According to Team Leader, Waste and Recycling Services Tracey Chala, the results of the survey will be used to help staff make recommendations regarding recycling options in Airdrie. Staff will bring those recommendations to council for review and first reading in April.
The full survey results are available on the City of Airdrie’s website at airdrie.ca
