As of Apr. 1, the City of Lethbridge’s three self-service yard waste sites will be open for the season.
The sites are located in the north, south and west and are for residential use only. Each site is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
You’re reminded to follow good yard waste site practices to help ensure a safe and successful experience for all customers:
- You must be able to unload your own materials.
- Use paper bags to avoid having to unbag materials from plastic bags.
- Only one person is allowed at a time when using the compactor or branch chipper.
- During peak times, customers with trailers full of materials may be directed to the Waste and Recycling Centre to drop off their load.
Collections Manager James Nicholls says most yard waste can go into a green cart. “We have the curbside organics program, so we’re still expecting residents to be putting food waste and small yard waste items into the green cart. That continues on the bi-weekly schedule until the end of April and getting into the weekly schedule in May.”
If you aren’t sure if your yard waste is green cart or yard waste site approved, look it up with the Waste Wizard or the Lethbridge Loop app.
Nicholls adds make sure not to bring mixed loads to the sites. “If you have branches, make sure they’re no more than six feet in length or eight inches in diameter. Ensure leaves and any other items are brought separate in paper bags.”
As expected, Nicholls notes, the curbside organics program has definitely taken a bite out of what comes into the yard waste sites. “However, we still see a strong demand for the sites, as people do that springtime clean up and they’re trimming branches and trees. In the fall time, we see pumpkins and excess material of whatever shape or form coming to these sites, so still a good demand.”
The biggest thing, according to Nicholls, is meeting diversion goals. “We’ve been excited to see, since the inception of the curbside organics program in 2023, a real buy-in from residents. We’ve been able to divert a significant amount of material from the black cart. That’s less landfill space we’re using at the Waste and Recycling Centre. And that’s compost we’re producing, which has a marketable value.”
Nicholls says this Saturday free compost will be given away at the Lethbridge Public Library’s Main Branch from 1-4 p.m. during Seedy Saturday. “Make sure to bring pails or other containers to take that material.”
