WATERLOO REGION — It will cost taxpayers about $18.5 million for curbside collection in 2017 as Waterloo Region implements strict garbage rules.

Councillors voted Tuesday to approve two collection contracts for waste management, one in the cities and one in the townships.

But some of the $3 million in expected annual savings could be eaten up by efforts to educate the public on the new garbage rules.

Staff estimate that educational initiatives could cost up to $800,000.

"I recognize there needs to be increased resources but I'd certainly like to see it at the lower end … so we can maximize that kind of savings back to our ratepayers," Coun. Sean Strickland said.

Coun. Geoff Lorentz said council should look to other municipalities that have instituted garbage collection changes and see how they implemented the new rules.

"I certainly hope that we can learn from other people's mistakes and streamline the process," he said.

The combined contracts are about $3 million less than what waste collection will cost in 2016.

Next year is the beginning of standardized collection regionwide and the first year of garbage cuts. Under the new rules, trash will be collected bi-weekly while green bins and recycling will be collected every week. Four trash bags will be accepted initially and that's expected to drop two. After an introduction period, residents will be charged for going above the trash bag limit.

Politicians say the main goal of the changes is to improve declining participation in the green bin program and extend the life of the Waterloo landfill by diverting organic waste.

Staff will be responsible for developing an implementation plan for the new garbage rules.

Coun. Tom Galloway said that plan is important for the program to run successfully.

"If the first couple of months is a mess and people don't know what they're doing, then, of course, the whole thing will be a bad exercise, or a lot of people will think it's a lousy exercise," he said.

Galloway added that he supports the implementation plan but doesn't want to see additional staff hired on a permanent basis. He doesn't want significant additional operating costs for the program.

The waste collection contracts are set for seven years, with the option of two one-year extensions. Five contractors bid on the work. Contracts will be increased annually according to the Consumer Price Index.

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Miller Waste Systems Inc. will collect waste in the cities and Emterra Environmental will be responsible for the townships.

Each will pick up garbage, green bins, yard waste, recycling, bulky and large metal items, and Christmas trees.