A mutually agreeable resolution has been reached between P.A.N. Disposal and the Cowichan Valley Regional District in regards to the CVRD’s new initiative to provide its own waste-collection services in the district’s south end for the first time, which begins in June.
P.A.N. Disposal, a family owned and operated waste-disposal company that has been collecting garbage and organic waste from its customers in Shawnigan Lake, Cobble Hill and Mill Bay since 1980, will cease to operate when the district takes over the collection of waste in electoral areas A, B, and C.
But P.A.N has agreed to continue to provide its customers with the same level of dedicated service until the CVRD’s new three-stream service begins. It will see garbage, recycling and organics collection by the CVRD in all corners of the regional district for the first time.
Until the CVRD’s new service is up and running, the district and P.A.N. will collaborate on communication and operational strategies to minimize confusion and service disruption for existing P.A.N. customers.
"While it has been challenging to adjust to the concept of this new government-mandated service, we have reached an understanding with the CVRD team,” said Andrea Davis, co-owner of P.A.N.
“We have worked in waste management for years, and we know the importance of diverting waste appropriately. We are optimistic that the new three-stream service will help in the continuing work of reducing the region's landfill waste."
Davis told the CVRD’s board in October that P.A.N. was looking for compensation from the district for continuing to provide waste-collection services in the district’s south end while the CVRD prepares to take over.
She said the company is losing significant amounts of money while waiting for the CVRD to take over the collection of waste in electoral areas A, B, and C.
“We are asking for a fair and just amount for having our business extinguished, and in knowing that we are continuing to provide a service which makes the transition for the CVRD the easiest it can be,” she said at the time. “We feel we are hemorrhaging money just to get to a place where you are ready [to take over waste collection].”
Asked about the details of what, if any, compensation P.A.N. will receive from the CVRD as part of the agreement, Davis said the information is confidential, but acknowledged the business will shut down when the CVRD takes over waste-collection duties.
“As for what’s next for us, we don’t know at this time,” she said. “It will be a brand new chapter in our lives.”
CVRD communications director Kris Schumacher also said the details of the agreement are confidential.
The CVRD’s new service will provide eligible households in all the CVRD's nine electoral areas and the Malahat Nation, per the First Nation's request, with alternating, bi-weekly recycling and garbage collection; weekly organics collection (combined yard and food waste); and monthly glass collection.
The CVRD is currently working to finalize key project timelines and information on the date for delivery of bear-resistant totes, kitchen-waste catchers, and glass collection bins which will be shared with the public in the spring of 2025.
"While we have been working to catch up to provide a more comprehensive service to an increasing number of regional residents, P.A.N. has filled a much-needed service gap in the south end for years,” said Ilse Sarady, senior manager at the CVRD’s recycling and solid-waste management division.
“We want to recognize their efforts and how they have supported regional waste-diversion objectives. We are also excited about the next chapter. As a local government, we can provide curbside services at cost to residents. Provincial grant funding has also enabled us to procure bear-resistant organics totes for all customers.”
