Residents split on recycling plan

Okotoks residents are split on the new waste management plan set to launch this fall.

Effective Oct. 1, all single-family residences in Okotoks will have three bins for their weekly waste services pick-up: a blue recycling bin, a black garbage bin and a green organic waste bin. Organic waste carts will be delivered to all homes, and blue carts will be distributed to those not previously subscribed to curbside recycling.

Monthly fees will be combined into one waste services fee of $20.50. It’s an increase from the $13.25 paid by homeowners who aren’t signed up for recycling collection, while those who are won’t see any change.

Okotoks resident Russ Wheatley said he takes his recycling and organic material to the operations centre. He’s worried about the implications of having three bins at every home.

“I ask myself, are the people that are making these recommendations and the people approving these recommendations, are they really thinking about what they're doing?” said Wheatley. “Have they thought this through?”

Not only will every home have to find storage for three carts, but roadways and alleys will be littered with the bins, he said. Many residents may be forced to block their own driveways with waste bins, he said.

He's also concerned about the new plan being imposed on residents rather than having options available, and believes more research is necessary.

“Why are we rushing into this?” Wheatley said. “I think there's a good opportunity to provide some time and learn a bit about what people want. Let's find out what, in fact, people are doing and what, in fact, they would like to see.”

He said he understands there are decisions the Town must make in its operations, but he doesn't appreciate how this one has been handled. It will have a negative impact on taxpayers, he said.

Wendy Norleen, who has lived in Okotoks for 24 years, agreed. She was shocked to hear about the new universal recycling program and feels that it's unnecessary.

“I really feel the organic thing is something that is being imposed on everybody, which doesn't make sense,” said Norleen. “There's going to be so many empty bins week after week.”

She and her husband have been taking their own recyclables in for years. They also compost in their own yard.

Not having the option is what bothers her the most.

“We take our own in, and now we're going to have to pay,” said Norleen. “We do our part, and now we're going to be basically taxed because it's not going to be an option anymore.”

She said she's also concerned that not many people know about the program. There will be a lot of people shocked to see the addition to their utility bills in the fall, she said.

Once proud of Okotoks' status as a sustainable community, she said the tides have turned and the new program leaves a sinking feeling instead.

“With these kinds of things forced on us, I really don't know if I would encourage anybody to move here,” said Norleen. “I'm not pleased with the way this is being handled and I believe we should have options.”

Other residents believe the program will be a positive step for Okotoks.

Ann Easton and her husband had been taking their own recyclables to the depot until they heard about the universal program coming into effect in October. It prompted them to subscribe to the blue bin service two months ago.

“I do wonder where I'm going to put all these bins, that's the biggest thing,” said Easton. “But other than that, it's good. It's fairly convenient and it's pretty easy to manage.”

It's the organic waste cart that she is looking forward to the most. Already an avid composter, she said sometimes her compost gets too full, especially in the winter months when it's cold and organics aren't decomposing.

With the green bin, she said she'll have some overflow for her large garden rather than hauling extra waste down to the Town's grass and leaves collection area near the bottle depot.

“And obviously the green bin takes more things than I would put in my own compost,” said Easton. “Of course I'll use it, anything that can be redirected out of landfill, to me, is important.”

As for the fee, she said it doesn't seem like too heavy a burden to bear for the level of service received. Though she was concerned at first about paying for a service she was already doing herself, Easton said there comes a time where you have to look at the bigger picture.

“It's not a difficult task, so if this helps then I'm all for the greater good,” said Easton.

Tanelle Nash has subscribed to curbside recycling for five years and said she's excited to see green bins being added to Okotoks waste management.

With two young children and cats in her house, a lot of the garbage in her black bin is diapers and cat litter, she said. But her household waste is primarily organic.

“I look at what we have in our garbage, and a lot of it is organics,” said Nash. “This is a great way of reducing and it will give us some leeway not to go over our allotted amount of garbage.”

The $20.50 monthly fee doesn't bother her for the convenience of having her recycling picked up at the curb, she said.

“You get what you pay for, so if we want this program there's going to have to be a cost somewhere and I'd rather it be up front than hidden somewhere else,” said Nash.

The Town is hosting two public information sessions and welcomes all residents to attend and provide feedback on the waste management plan and universal recycling program.

The first will be held Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Foothills Centennial Centre, and the second will be on Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. in council chambers. For more information visit www.okotoks.ca