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Anyone sifting through a Blue Box could face fine from Region by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff 3 | Thursday, September 1, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Early Tuesday morning or late Monday night, before garbage and recycling gets picked up for the day in his neighbourhood, an Oakville resident observes a woman sifting through the Blue Boxes lining his street. She parks her car on the side of the street where there's no stopping. When she's done, he can hear the glass bottles clinking as she closes the trunk of her car. Iain Stuart, who lives in College Park, says it's been a weekly occurrence since the fall and he's had enough. "I almost hit her coming home from one of my venues one night," he said, noting how she seemed to be finishing up going through the Blue Boxes put out late at night, before pickup day. "This person was crossing the road as I was driving, regardless of traffic." The longtime Oakville resident contacted Halton Region to get answers about the legality of foraging through someone's trash. It occurred to him perhaps the Region could be losing revenue from materials scavenged, money that could potentially be put back into the town. Although there is a bylaw that prohibits scavenging waste, including recyclables that haven been set out at the curb for collection, it can be difficult to enforce. While there is a bylaw prohibiting scavenging waste, including recyclables, that have been set out at the curb for collection, it can be difficult to enforce according to the Region of Halton. | Graham Paine/Metroland "When residents set out their garbage and recyclables at the curb on their scheduled collection day as prescribed by the bylaw, Halton Region views this waste as its property to be collected as part of its waste collection services," explained David Miles, manager of Waste Planning and Collection at the Region. "It should also be noted that once garbage, recyclables or other waste material are at the curb, it is in a public place and as a result, the courts have found that there is not a reasonable expectation of privacy that can be asserted." With that said, Regional staff do respond to reported complaints and inquiries, Miles noted. They attempt to speak to the person scavenging and issue a warning in cases where they have received contact information. Halton Region also has authority to issue tickets. "A conviction for an offence under the antiscavenging provisions of the Region's waste services bylaw has a set fine of $100," said Miles. The Region also notes it hires a contractor to sell the recycled material on its behalf. The contractor and Halton Region share proceeds, which partially offsets the cost of its waste management program. Stuart, who often works from home, says it still feels unsettling that someone is going through his trash. As such, he has been holding back his recycling until he has seen the woman making her rounds and he has seen others in his neighbourhood do the same. He's observed a man on occasion scavenging as well. He's concerned the problem will become more frequent. Miles said if property owners have confidential information they are concerned about, they should consider disposing of it in another, more secure manner than placing it in the Blue Box. They can also report people scavenging by contacting Halton Region by dialling 311. "Halton waste collection staff will then follow up and try to talk to the scavengers to discourage them," he said. Won't Be Beat If you find a cheaper price, simply show us and we will match.* NoFrillS owNer'S 99¢ Sale 167 we're locally owned! 387 597 save 2.88 lb 355 lb 7.83/kg UNICO PASTA 700/900 g or PASTA SAUCE 680 mL selected varieties pâtes ou sauce pour pâtes NO NAME® SHREDDED CHEESE 340 g or ARMSTRONG CHEESE BAR 400-450 g selected varieties fromage râpé ou barre de fromage FRESH BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREASTS BIG Pack!TM poitrines de poulet WONDER BREAD 675 g selected varieties pain IOGO NANO YOGURT 12 x 90 g or DEL MONTE FRUIT CUPS 8 x 190 mL selected varieties yogourt ou coupes de fruits Flyer prices effective from Friday, September 2 to Thursday, September 8, 2016. Ontario stores only. (excluding: Geraldton, Kenora & Thunder Bay Ontario) Check your local store for hours of operation. WON'T BE BEAT® program restricted to major supermarket competitors within these stores geographical trade area. Other conditions and restrictions apply, please see our distributed flyer or in store for details. We reserve the right to limit quantities. While quantities last. No rainchecks. We reserve the right to correct any unintentional error that may occur in copy or illustration. ®/TM Trademarks of Loblaws Inc. and others. All rights reserved, used with permission ©2016 Loblaws Inc. Colangelo's Colangelo's NoFrills Van Spall's NoFrills 125 Cross 1395 Abbeywood Avenue Drive OAkVille