Curbside garbage and recycling pickup in the hamlet of Lac La Biche was affected by the cold weather over the week.
The Tuesday pickup schedule for residents within the hamlet of Lac La Biche was postponed until Thursday due to extreme cold temperatures and equipment issues.
The cold weather didn't affect scavenger birds in some areas of the community however, who took advantage of residents who chose to leave their over-stuffed municipal waste bins outside for the first pickup since Christmas.
According to Lac La Biche County BYLAW 20-016, the waste and recycling management bylaw, the first fine is $200 for a resident responsible for assigned waste containers where debris is left scattered. Subsequent penalties for the same municipal offence are $400.
Lac La Biche County's manager of Enforcement Services, Chris Clark says the fines are a last resort. However, he says residents should understand the importance of not over-flowing the bins and making sure the lids can be closed fully to avoid attracting unwanted birds and wildlife.
"We ask that if residents notice that their garbage has spilled out that they rectify the issue and pick up the waste," Clark told Lakeland This Week.
The changes to this week's garbage collection schedule only affected Lac La Biche hamlet residents. Rural and Plamondon residents saw no change in the curtsied schedule.
Lac La Biche County officials say the current cold snap has also affected the schedule for snow removal from residential streets. In a social media posting on December 28, county staff said road clearing would be delayed "until temperatures improve."