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GFW reminds residents that garbage covers are mandatory

When it comes to covering garbage, the town of Grand Falls-Windsor says it doesn't want to impose costly fines, but it will do so if necessary.

All residents are required by law to cover their curbside trash, but Councillor Darren Finn says 20 per cent of homes do not.

In one week, the town issued 950 warning letters to residents for not covering their garbage.

The town can issue a $100 fine for violating the law, but Finn said he doesn't want to do that. Instead, the town wants to focus on education.

"It's something I think is totally unnecessary in terms of having to go and issue fines, because it's such a simple thing for residents to do."

"As a council, we've encouraged this education component because you know clearly when 20 per cent of people don't cover their garbage, you wouldn't think that people are just refusing to comply with the regulations," said Finn.

The councillor said some residents have complained about blowing garbage, which attracts a seagull feeding frenzy.

"The homeowner is responsible for the garbage right up until the minute the garbage man or woman takes it on board the truck," said Finn.

That includes garbage that's spilled out of the bag.

Meanwhile, Finn said the town's new curbside recycling program has a success rate of nearly 100 per cent.