Chilliwack Mayor Popove says he’s gotten a ton of feedback over the new curbside collection rollout

CHILLIWACK – Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove says he’s gotten the memo loud and clear from Chilliwack residents about the new curbside collection rollout and its apparent shortcomings, but hopes residents can be patient while the new contractor tries to get it right.

Effective May 1, the city’s new curbside collection contractor is Environmental 360 Solutions (E360S), the same company tasked with operating the Bailey Sanitary Landfill since 2021. E360S provides waste management services for many municipalities across Canada.

However, the rollout of the new program on Friday, May 1 did not go well at all. E360S encountered issues with their navigation system that day and did not collect materials until the following Monday. Multiple Chilliwack residents have taken to social media to say their old bins haven’t been collected, while E360S hasn’t picked up their regular garbage, among other issues.

Mayor Popove told 89.5 JR Morning host Glen Slingerland Thursday morning (May 14) that he’s gotten quite a bit of feedback from the public.

“There’s been a whole host of emails that have come my way. Folks have got to realize this is a new operator,” Popove said. “It’s got some hiccups, there’s no doubt. Emterra was with us for 20-plus years. We’re gonna get a better deal money-wise with this new outfit that’s doing it. Yep, there’s some hiccups, there’s slow pickups, there’s missed pickups, but you know, let’s just give them a chance.”

Popove promises the experience will get better for residents.

“There’s been a whole host of emails that have come my way, not very happy about what I just explained. I guarantee you it’ll get better,” he told Slingerland. “It’s something new. (E360S) has gotta get into a groove.”

When asked whether he knows when the old bins will be picked up, Popove said he didn’t have an exact date.

“Soon, I don’t know, Glen,” Popove said. “They’re supposed to pick up the week after they’ve picked up your recycling and garbage, etc. Just be patient everybody. It’s gonna happen. Continue to send me emails. I know folks aren’t happy. It’s gonna be OK.”

In a statement to Fraser Valley Today, the City of Chilliwack said municipal staff continue to communicate with the new contractor.

“City staff are in frequent contact with the contractor, who has provided information about adjustments being made to resolve the issues that arose,” the city said. “The City will continue to monitor performance and work with the contractor as they identify issues and implement corrective measures during program start-up. E360S and the City apologize for any inconveniences to residents that arise through this transition period.”

Fraser Valley Today spoke with a former Emterra employee who was laid off as a result of the switch from Emterra to E360S. The employee estimated there were at least two dozen swampers laid off.

Emterra utilized a driver and a swamper, sometimes two swampers, to collect garbage throughout Chilliwack, whereas E360S uses a single driver, leading to complaints that the new contractor is much slower than Emterra.