In the roughly two years since the curbside organics program was put in place by the city, it is reported nearly 13 million kilograms of organic waste has been kept out of the landfill.
According to City of Lethbridge officials, this is equal to around 382 kilograms of organic waste per household. Collections Manager in the city’s Waste and Environment department James Nicholls says these statistics are positive with the numbers trending in the right direction to meet the city’s goal of diverting waste in Lethbridge by 50 per cent by 2030.
“We want to thank residents for keeping up their curbside enthusiasm and finding ways to incorporate waste diversion in their daily routines,” Nicholls says. “We know change can be hard to adapt to, especially when it comes to household routines… However, the results we’ve seen are encouraging, and waste diversion will benefit our community for years to come.”
Along with the diverted waste, the city has also given out more than 56,000 kilograms of free Coulee Compost during giveaway events, while around 4,500 kilograms of Coulee Compost has been used in City parks, gardens, cemeteries and green spaces. Although officials say the numbers are positive, there is still room for improvement; General Manager of the City & Environment Department Mandi Parker says they are focusing on continuing to increase the amount of food scraps put in green carts and minimizing the number of non-organics that can “sneak their way in.”
“If you’re worried about the mess and ‘yuck’ factor in your kitchen pail, paper bags can be used to help seal up the mess… We’ve seen lots of creative ways households have incorporated curbside organics into their routine,” Parker says. “Some families have a full-sized organic garbage bin right next to their regular garbage bin in their kitchens. They’re using the big paper yard waste bags to line these indoor organics bins instead of using the small kitchen pail. Ultimately, establishing a routine that works for you is going to increase food scraps in the green carts and reduce organics going to our landfill.”
At the beginning of May, the city will resume weekly green cart pick-ups.
Along with the curbside organics program, the city also announced another eco-friendly program Tuesday with applications opening for the 2025 Environmental Incentive Program. These applications are open for those who purchase rain barrels and replace old, inefficient toilets with new low-flow toilets to receive a rebate.
According to the city’s announcement, “The program runs from April 22 through December 31, or until funding runs out. Each household can get up to two rebates for low-flow toilets and two for rain barrels.” These rebates will cover 50 per cent of the cost equaling up to $100 each.
More information about the curbside organics program can be found here and more information on the rebate program can be found here.
