City Council supports new waste disposal pilot program

Jun 8, 2022 | 9:47 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A pilot program focused on the safe disposal of materials like household hazardous waste (HHW), batteries and paint has been given the thumbs up from Lethbridge City Council.

On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, council voted unanimously to direct City of Lethbridge Administration to implement a pilot program for toxic/e-waste round-ups.

The Waste and Recycling Utility (WRU) pilot will offer three round-up events with no utility rate increase. The round-up events will be held within city limits to encourage participation from residents and increase the amount of HHW and e-waste diverted from the landfill.

The City noted that based on waste composition studies, up to three per cent of black cart materials that are considered HHW and e-waste could be diverted from the landfill. Using black cart tonnage from 2021, this represents 600 tones of HHW and e-waste materials that could be diverted.

Deputy Mayor Jenn Schmidt-Rempel, who also serves as chair of the Economic Standing Policy Committee said, “the diversion of household wastes and e-wastes helps to protect the environment by having these materials handled and processed in the best way possible.”

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“Additional programming that supports and promotes additional diversion would be a benefit to our community,” Schmidt-Rempel added.

Previous round-ups were eliminated in 2018 when a dedicated HHW public drop off site was opened year-round at the Waste and Recycling Centre (WRC).

General Manager of Waste and Recycling, Mandi Parker said, “the new focus is on environmentally sustainable waste management practices with emphasis on waste prevention and waste diversion.”

“This pilot will be an effective way to determine if these types of events are still viable and impactful in the community.”

City Administration will report back to City Council with outcomes after the one-year pilot program and make the appropriate recommendations in terms of operational budget requirements, if needed.

by Justin Goulet