Politics
Jbr City Council Passes Ordinance 2026-47 Adjusting Waste Collection Fees for Bin Sizes
The measure ties quarterly charges to bin capacity, adding $8 to standard household accounts from October.
How we reported this
Jbr City Council approved Ordinance 2026-47 on July 7, which links waste collection charges directly to the size of residential bins. The vote sets new quarterly rates at $68 for 60-litre bins, $92 for 120-litre bins and $115 for 240-litre bins. Every household that receives city-contracted collection service falls under the new schedule.
Why the change takes effect now
The council acted after the 2025-26 budget paper showed collection costs rising 11 percent year over year because of higher landfill tipping fees and fuel prices. The ordinance replaces the previous flat $78 quarterly rate that had been in place since 2022. City records indicate 42,300 residential accounts will move to the new structure on the October billing cycle.
Households that currently use the 120-litre bin will pay an extra $14 each quarter. Those with the larger 240-litre bin will pay an extra $37. Residents who downsize to the 60-litre bin will pay $10 less than the old flat rate. The legislation states that any household may request one free bin-size change before September 15.
Direct effects on Jbr households and services
Policy analysts note that families who generate more waste will face higher out-of-pocket costs while smaller households gain an immediate reduction. The same ordinance adds a $6 monthly surcharge for any account that places extra bags at the curb more than twice in a quarter. Local advocates note that the city will continue to provide one free large-item pickup per year under existing rules.
The government says the policy will generate an additional $1.9 million in revenue for the solid-waste fund in the current fiscal year. That amount appears in the mid-year budget adjustment presented to councillors on July 7. The revenue is earmarked for replacement of aging collection trucks and expansion of the existing recycling drop-off site on River Road.
Implementation begins with new bin stickers mailed in August. Accounts that do not select a bin size by September 1 will default to their current bin and receive the corresponding new rate. The public works department will hold two community sessions at the Jbr Civic Centre on July 22 and July 29 to answer questions about the switch.