By Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

Coaldale rolling out curbside composting program in March

Feb 26, 2018 | 10:40 AM

COALDALE – The Town of Coaldale is preparing to roll out the third stream of its curbside pick-up program on Mar. 5, with composting set to join garbage and recycling.

It’s been five years since Coaldale rolled out curbside recycling and curbside composting carts were rolled out to residents in February.

Cindy L’Hirondelle, Manager of Development and Environmental Services, says the big change with the rollout of the program was getting the bins to residents as well as the educational material.

“There’s a new pickup schedule, we’re going to a bi-weekly garbage pickup now with the composting program going into place,” L’Hirondelle said.

“It’s going to take a little bit for residents to get on board with how things are going to work, but it’s going to help with our tipping fees,” she continued. “The composting material is the heaviest, so it’ll be going to a special facility that deals specifically with that material.”

Week-in-review: Federal Budget, water agreements and success for tourism industry

Apr 20, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 19, 2024

Apr 19, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

Apr 15, 2024

The materials will all be transported and processed at a facility in Taber.

In 2017 tipping fees for processing Coaldale’s waste at the regional landfill rose to $85/tonne, an increase from $75/tonne in 2016.

With the yearly increase, Coaldale could hit $125/tonnes in five years or less which could cost the town an additional $100,733 a year just in tipping fees if the current garbage tonnage stayed the same.

A release from the town states that curbside composting is the logical next step in reducing greenhouse gases, extending the life of the landfills and being environmental conscious.

The materials that will go into the curbside compost carts will be turned into nutrient rich compost at the processing facility.
When it comes to impact, L’Hirondelle says they’re striving for a 50 per cent diversion rate for materials.

“Especially in the summer months when grass clippings, tree clippings and pruning materials can all go into the bins. Residents would have also received a kitchen catcher that will go in their house to take out material,” L’Hirondelle said, adding there is a vast range of materials that can go into the green bins.

The new cart can be used for organic waste which includes:

Fruits – Peeled and Unpeeled
Vegetables – Peeled and Unpeeled
Meat and Seafood – Uncooked and Cooked
Dairy Products; including Milk, Cheese, Yogurt, Butter, Etc.
Baked Goods; including Bread, Cookies, Buns, Etc.
Pasta, Rice, Beans and Lentils
Coffee and Coffee Filters
Tea (loose) and Tea Bags
Sauces
Salad Dressings
Cooking Oils
All Processed and Unprocessed Food

Some other materials that can be added to the cart as well include soiled napkins, paper towels, pizza boxes, and used paper plates, bowls and cups.

The big benefit from the carts is they will take most common household wastes, instead of going into the garbage to head to the landfill.

“If someone cleans out their fridge, all that can go in or if they cut their grass, well that can go in too. Whether it’s one person in a home or ten people in a residence, they all benefit,” L’Hirondelle said.