You may have noticed new waste and recycling bins appearing at various Airdrie facilities and parks.

Tracy Pagenhardt, Program Coordinator with Waste & Recycling, explained that Waste & Recycling were tasked by City Council to come up with a plan to implement recycling at City facilities back in May of 2016. On November 23, Pagenhardt presented a plan that was approved by Council.

"We are in the process of rolling them all out to various city facilities and four regional parks," said Pagenhardt. "So yes, you will be seeing those out and about in the parks as well as Genesis Place, the Ron Ebbesen Arena, Plainsmen Arena, and of course we had the pilot over at the T&C as well as in Nose Creek Park."

Pagenhardt explained that the new bins are designed to mirror the programs already in place for most Airdrie homes.

"Blue is called mixed recycling. It accepts everything that your blue cart would currently take so that does include coffe cups, empty preferably. It also includes organics, so all your food waste can go into those organics bins as well as food soiled paper, so anything that has fast food packaging, that kind of thing can go in the organics.Then we also have beverage containers, so that's anything that you would normally get a refund on. And we have garbage as well. Garbage would be, say pet waste for the outdoor bins, diapers, disposable cutlery, chip bags, that kind of thing."

Pagenhardt said the new bins are an attempt to make recycling more convenient and consistent, whether you are at home or out and about.

"Of course if we're increasing the access to appropriate recycling and organics programs, then we can increase the diversion. So we're diverting more waste from the landfill all across this community."

Pagenhardt said the city hopes to finish rolling out the bins over the next couple of weeks. Bins that are already installed are in full service, and ready to take your waste, recycling and organics. 

 

Questions, comments or story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com