Green, black and blue carts at the sanitation building at Lethbridge public operations on June 22, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Lethbridge’s curbside organics collection program off to a strong start

Jun 22, 2023 | 12:21 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge’s green cart collection has been going on for over a month, and officials have offered up some insight on how the program has been received.

According to data collected by the City of Lethbridge, approximately 1,300 tonnes of organic waste has been diverted from the landfill via the green carts in the first month of the organics pickup.

James Nicholls, Collections Manager at the Waste & Environment department for the City of Lethbridge, said co-operation from residents has been encouraging.

Nicholls stated, “We’ve seen more than 85 per cent of residents put their cart out for collection in the first month, which is an amazing level of participation for a new program.”

Upon the launch of the program in May 2023, the City of Lethbridge also ran the month-long Curbside Enthusiasm contest, asking residents to complete weekly tasks for a chance to win prizes. In total, 10 residents won a $500 gift card to a local business of their choice.

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In addition to the update about the curbside organics program, officials are reminding residents to check on what is being put into their collection bins. In a release on June 21, 2023, the City of Lethbridge indicated that the improper disposal of a large battery and aerosol can caused a small fire in the back of a waste collection truck on June 13.

The battery that caught fire in a waste collection truck on June 13, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

Nicholls said the fire was contained and a much worse situation was avoided by the quick action of the driver.

He added, “Obviously, this is not something we want to see in any of our carts. This should not be [disposed of in] black, blue or green [carts]. These are items called hazardous household waste for a reason. We have disposal sites for things like this.”

Information on what items can be disposed of and where they can be thrown away is available at the City of Lethbridge website, or on the Lethbridge Loop mobile app.

READ MORE: Fire ignites in Lethbridge waste collection truck due to improper disposal

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