Despite being challenged from its onset, Okotoks’ blue bin recycling program has seen fewer than two per cent of eligible residents opt out of the service.
The Town of Okotoks launched its new universal waste management program in October, which saw all single-family residences receive a blue recycling cart and a green organics collection bin in addition to black garbage bins.
After initial pushback from residents in the fall, the Town gave new subscribers to the blue cart program the option to return their bins between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28, following a free, three-month trial period.
Only 150 carts were returned out of 7,900 single-family residences, or about 1.8 per cent.
Waste services manager Paul Lyons said it’s a good sign for the future of the program.
“Residents, in my view, are seeing the benefit of having this cart program and are willing to really try to keep using it, so I think that’s a great thing,” said Lyons.
He said it’s been generally well-received across the community, and the results are being noticed at pick-up.
In January and February, almost 50 per cent more recyclables were collected from the curb compared to the same period in 2016, he said.
The organics program has also seen success so far, he said. In January alone, there was a 33 per cent decline in the amount of garbage going to the landfill and 96 tonnes of organic waste was collected, he said. There was also about 326 tonnes of organic waste collected between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, he said.
“So far, the goal of diversion is being achieved,” said Lyons.
He said it’s important to stay focused on the landfill, not only as a community but at the regional level as well.
“This is the only landfill we have, so every program we can put in place to divert more waste it’s going to be a big win for all the communities,” said Lyons.
If something were to happen at the landfill, the only option would be to carry waste to Calgary and pay significantly higher tipping fees, he said.
Having residents buy into the curbside services being offered by the Town is a good first step, he said.
The Town is still examining a pay-as-you-throw concept for those who receive Town recycling services, he said. It would see residents receive credit on their utility bills for weeks their garbage carts aren’t tipped, to encourage use of the blue and green bins.
“We’re looking at the software we have, working with our contractor to ensure it will do what we want it to do,” said Lyons. “It’s still something we’re evaluating to see what the next steps forward are going to be.”
