At least one city councillor believes it's time London bites the bullet on a green bin program, before costs soar any higher.
A new staff report shows the cost of starting the green initiative city-wide has jumped from $9-million in 2013 to $12-million. The annual operating cost of the program has also risen from $3-million to $4.5-million.
Councillor Stephen Turner says not acting now could see taxpayers footing an even bigger start-up bill down the road.
"We are going to be compelled to significantly increase our waste diversion rates, either this term of council or the next term of council because we are going to be applying to the province to expand our landfill. It is expected that the province will require us to make those diversion changes. So whether it's now or later we are going to have to do it. This price jump shows if we wait longer it is just going to cost more later."
Under the green bin recycling program every household would be given a container for all food waste and diapers. The annual operating costs would increase taxes nearly 1% but Turner is quick to point out that blow would be softened for taxpayers.
"The proposal on the books right now looks for partcial implementation of the green bin strategy in 2018 for an increase in taxes as a result of that of 0.2%. It would then look for a full implementation in 2019, where there would be a 0.6% tax increase."
The city is working to improve waste diversion and the addition of green bins would see the life of London's landfill extended by 10%.
"Backyard composters can only handle about 5% of our household waste. It can't handle table scraps, it can't handle grease and protein," says Turner. "Green bins can handle about 35% of all household waste which is a significant difference and really helps to reduce the methane gas contributions in our landfill."
In 2011, London launched a 15-month green bin pilot project for 760 homes. The pilot project was well received with a participation rate among those households of 60-70%.
