Between last week's windstorm and an increase in thefts, you might be wondering how to make sure your recycling and organic bins stays put.

Susan Grimm, Team Leader for Waste & Recycling with the City of Airdrie, says the solution is actually quite simple.

"The best thing that a resident can do is to write their address in a permanent black marker in the space that's provided on each of the carts."

Grimm says writing your address on the bin makes it more immediately identifiable. 

The windstorm blue bins around some areas of Airdrie. Grimm says just grabbing any old bin in those circumstances can be problematic.

"Each cart, whether it's blue or green, has a unique serial number, and each serial number is assigned to a specific address.

Grimm explained that if carts do get mixed up, residents can contact the City to find out their serial number and arrange any swaps between neighbours. The serial numbers can be found on the front of the blue bins, and the side of the green bins.

Grimm also pointed out that homeowners are on the hook for their bins if they get lost or stolen.

"If a bin does go missing and there was one originally assigned to an address, than the homeowner is responsible for replacing that cart at a cost of $75."

Grimm says anyone not wanting to pay for a replacement bin could get their serial number from the City and try to track it down themselves.

 

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