latest news.

Read All Latest News

LANGFORD COUNCIL TAKES ACTION TO IMPROVE WASTE COLLECTION AND REDUCE COSTS

(Langford, B.C.): The City of Langford is taking a major step toward addressing a long-standing concern raised by residents by moving forward with the next stage of a municipally contracted curbside garbage collection service for eligible homes across the city.

This service model is aimed at delivering better value for residents while responding to persistent frustrations about the current system including high costs, overflowing municipal garbage cans, illegal dumping, noise from multiple garbage trucks, and growing traffic congestion in neighbourhoods. The service will focus on single family homes and strata properties with six units or fewer.

As Langford has grown to a population of 60,000 residents, and continues to grow rapidly, the need for services that match the demands of a larger, busier city has become increasingly clear. Council has heard those concerns and is responding.

“Residents have been clear that the current system is not working well enough for many households,” said Mayor Scott Goodmanson. “As Langford grows, we need services that reflect the realities of a larger city. This is a practical, responsible step that has the potential to reduce costs for residents, cut down on road congestion and noise, and improve the cleanliness and livability of our neighbourhoods. Council has listened, and we are taking action.”

Under the new system, the City would not operate the service itself, and it would not be funded through taxation. There would be no City-owned trucks, carts, or collection operations. Instead, the City would go to the open market and seek competitive proposals from private sector providers through a Negotiated Request for Proposals (NRFP) process. The successful contractor would provide the service and bill households directly. This approach is designed to harness economies of scale and the City’s negotiating power to achieve significant savings for residents while relying on private sector delivery.

Research by staff and an independent third party shows that a unified municipally contracted service will bring significant annual savings to households compared to what some residents are currently paying through the existing open-market subscription system, where households arrange service individually with private companies at varying rates.

In addition to the potential cost savings, the model will deliver a number of broader community benefits, including:

• Reduced annual household garbage disposal costs.
• Fewer garbage trucks on the road, helping to reduce neighbourhood traffic congestion.
• Less noise in residential areas from overlapping collection routes.
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions.
• Reduced wear and tear on roads.
• Improved neighbourhood cleanliness and livability.
• A more coordinated response to issues such as overflowing bins and illegal dumping.

The City of Colwood is also participating alongside Langford in the upcoming NRFP process to gather information about options for its residents. At this stage, no final decision has been made, and no service provider has been selected.

The next step is for City staff to issue the NRFP and review submissions to determine which option would provide the best overall value and service for taxpayers and residents. Following that process, the selected proponent would move into contract negotiations over the coming months, with a phased service rollout targeted for 2027.

Mayor Goodmanson said the City’s focus is on making sure future growth is matched by smart, efficient services that improve quality of life and make day-to-day living more affordable. “This is about keeping up with growth in a way that makes sense for residents,” said Goodmanson. “People are frustrated when they see overflowing cans, garbage dumped in boulevards, and multiple trucks travelling the same streets. We have an opportunity to respond to that call for change with a better, more coordinated system that works for taxpayers.”

The initiative follows public engagement and third-party review work undertaken after Council directed staff to explore options to better manage waste collection in Langford. That work confirmed that a municipally contracted model warrants further exploration and could offer meaningful financial, environmental, and service benefits over the current fragmented system.

Further details, including any proposed bylaw changes will come before Council at a later date.

-30-

MEDIA CONTACT
Harriet D’Costa
Media Relations Advisor
City of Langford
Cell: 250-661-9346



STAFF REPORT AND PRESENTATION:

Update on Waste Management Service (time stamp 1:05)