Garbage piles in Winnipeg back lanes worry residents

With the spring weather melting the snow away in Winnipeg, it's uncovered large, ugly piles of garbage in back lanes that don't seem to go away.

One unsightly trash pile in an alley behind Pritchard Avenue has been there for almost a month and continues to grow, according to people living in the area.

One resident said she called the city's 311 service line about the mess two weeks ago, while another neighbour said she called the city last week.

"I don't like it at all," said Tammy Walker, who sees the growing pile of garbage whenever she steps out of her home.

Walker said she called the city about a week ago, and "they said somebody was gonna take care of it right away, but it's still there."

Cecile Storey says she's worried the garbage piles will be set ablaze by firebugs sooner or later. A home located a few blocks away went up in flames for that reason, she recalled.

"There is lots of garbage like that and then the kids came around and then they start the fire there. So that's what I'm scared of," she said.

A City of Winnipeg spokesperson told CBC News that it appears the garbage is on someone's property, meaning city crews would not pick it up unless a complaint is filed via 311 and a bylaw officer issues a notice.

The spokesperson added thatCommunity By-Law Enforcement Servicesdetermines if garbage placed in a right-of-way is abandoned, but the trash in the Pritchard Avenue case was determined not to be in theright-of-way.

Resident worries about rodents

Over in the Point Douglas neighbourhood, residents like Matthew Hourie say they fear the mess ina back lanebetween Lorne and Lusted avenues mayproduce rodents.

"It just piles up and they leave it on the ground and then mice start to happen around here, so it becomes a problem for everyone if there's like a big pile of trash," Hourie said.

Hourie said he also called 311 but was told if the garbage was on his neighbour's property, it would be the neighbour's responsibility to clean it up.

Mynarski Coun. Ross Eadie says unless Mayor Brian Bowman puts more money into the city's waste removal budget, parts of the city will continue to have growing piles of garbage.

"If the expectation is you call 311 and somebody's going to send a city worker down which we have very few working in the solid waste field out there on the ground they're not actually going to be coming and scooping it up and cleaning it up," Eadie said.

Eadie said Emterra, the company contracted by the city for garbage and recycling collection, won't pick up trash unless it's in bins. Crews won't empty overflowing bins, either, he added.

For that reason, Eadie is calling on residents to take responsibility for the way their neighbourhoods look and clean up after themselves.

What does the city bylaw say?

The city's neighbourhood livability bylaw states the following with regards to garbage:

Properties must be kept free of garbage

• 6(1) Garbage must not be allowed to accumulate upon a property.
• 6(1.1) The following items of garbage must not be allowed to accumulate on private property:
  • (a) one or more large items of refuse, including appliances, indoor furniture, dilapidated outdoor furniture, mattresses, large auto parts and crates;
  • (b) hazardous waste, as defined in the Solid Waste By-law;
  • (c) construction, demolition or renovation waste;
  • (d) wrecked, dismantled, partially dismantled, inoperative, discarded, or abandoned trailers, machinery or vehicles or parts thereof;
  • (e) six or more bags of garbage. added 65/2013 6(2) Garbage must not be allowed to blow or otherwise be carried from a property onto other property, a street or a park.
• 6(3) Garbage that is eligible for removal under the Solid Waste By-Law must be stored in receptacles or plastic garbage bags that are pro

Duty of property owners/occupants

• 56. The owner and occupant of property must ensure that
  • (a) the public sidewalk and the boulevard in front of and flanking the property; and
  • (b) a back lane in rear of the property;
• is kept free of garbage.