Burnaby residents with some medical conditions will soon be eligible for a free garbage can.
City council passed a new policy on Monday that will provide additional waste receptacles to people whose in-home treatments generate increased garbage.
The city has received requests for free garbage cans “from time to time” over the years, but has dealt with them “inconsistently” due to a lack of official policy, a city report says.
The new policy will see the city provide 240 litre bins, which usually come with a $140 annual fee, to people who meet certain criteria:
- Residents must live in a single- or multi-family residence that uses toter garbage cans.
- They must provide a doctor’s note annually, confirming they have a medical condition that generates “excessive medical waste.”
- The medical condition in question cannot be “elective or cosmetic in nature.”
- The applicant must prove they live in Burnaby.
- Staff will inspect the receptacle to confirm they are not putting yard waste and recyclables in the bin.
- The additional bin can only be used for medical waste, but cannot include materials that pose a health risk such.
- The city must be notified promptly when the bin is no longer needed.
