Changes to waste collection in Okotoks are all about achieving one goal – keeping it out of the Foothills’ landfill.
Effective Oct. 1 every single-family home in Okotoks will receive curbside recycling collection.
The move has sparked an outcry among many in the community who will end up paying more for waste collection.
The Town’s waste collection fees will change on Oct. 1 to $20.50 for garbage, recycling and green waste. People who don’t currently use the Town’s blue bins will pay an additional $7.25 per month once the change takes effect, while those who are signed up for the service won’t see any change.
The cheapest option would be to put everything in the landfill, but it’s not feasible nor is it responsible. The Province is no longer approving any new landfills, so Foothills municipalities need to do what they can to extend the life of the region’s landfill.
Waste collection in Okotoks has seen a long, evolutionary change over the years: moving from plastic bags to automated garbage collection, and two small bins for curbside recycling to the blue carts in use today.
Making curbside collection mandatory and introducing organic waste collection for all single-family homes in town is the next step and it needs to be done right.
Much of the current uproar could’ve been avoided if the Town had consulted the community before moving ahead.
At the very least, the Town could’ve used consultation as an opportunity to gauge opinion and see what other changes could potentially be made to improve the system.
Public information sessions are planned for Aug. 25 and Sept. 6, after a bylaw to make the changes official is set for first reading from town council on Aug. 22.
The Town has put the recycling cart before the horse. It should’ve heard from residents first.
Residents need to be partners in this process, not an afterthought.
