Business concern over bin service

Press, 31 August 1989, Page 7

Business concern over bin service

By

KAY FORRESTER

A Christchurch rubbish contractor believes small contractors will be put out of business if the Christchurch City Council collect rubbish in large bins. Mr Kevin Lamb, who owns Pegasus Bin Hire, says small contractors who provide a bin collection, will not be able to compete with the council if it adopts a similar collection.

The council begins a five-week trial on Monday of large, plastic bins. The bins hold as much as five rubbish bags. Mr Lamb says his business has about 1200 customers who pay $6 for a weekly, fortnightly or monthly pick-up of a 44 gallon drum of rubbish. "We’re only one of several businesses who rely on that sort of collection for most of our work,” he said. It cost about $5 per drum to dispose of the collected rubbish, Mr Lamb said. He did not accept the figures of Waste Management, the firm conducting the trial, that using bins would cost ratepayers an extra $2O a year on what they now paid through rates for rubbish collection. “I don’t see how the council can do it for another $2O. That’s amazing.” Mr Lamb said he had written to the council and also to the Rubbish Contractors’ Association of small contractors. Council officers will report on the trial to the new Christchurch City Council.