By Leah Murray

City moving forward with curbside recycling

Jan 10, 2017 | 7:42 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB —The City of Medicine Hat is one step closer to implementing a mandatory curbside recycling program.

Council voted Monday night to allow City staff to move forward on negotiating a rate of $6.00 per month for residents and for the successful company to also purchase the Municipal Recycling Facility.

According to information provided by the City, upon implementation of a recycling initiative, the program experienced rapid growth and seemingly plateaued in 2005.

City staff believe a curbside recycling program would likely increase the diversion of recyclables from consumers by five to 10 per cent. It is estimated that a further 3,900 tonnes could be diverted from the landfill with the implementation of a mandatory residential curbside pick-up.

Several proposals were submitted this past fall regarding the processing of recyclable materials for the City of Medicine Hat. One of the proposals came from REDI Enterprises, who operates the City’s current recycling program and recycling facility. The organization is able to generate $75,000 a year for its local programming. But their rate was over a dollar higher than the $6.00/month the City is aiming for.

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REDI executive director Karen Gingras said the loss of the money from running the current recycling program and Municipal Recycling Facility will likely have an impact on their organization.

“We’re right now working on our 2017-2018 budget and we’re going to see what we have to do to make up for that $75,000 loss,” she said

Gingras said it will mean reassessing their programs, their number of employees and the things they are focusing on, but doesn’t believe it will lead to job losses.

“There’s going to be drivers they need to drive the trucks and there’s going to be some, at least 6,7,8 people to work in the MRF,” she said. “So there will still be jobs and probably the net jobs will be an increase because they will need drivers.”

Councillor Jim Turner voted against the proposal saying he’s not sure the increase in waste diversion is worth the cost to residents.

“The people who are recycling, why should I have to pay a $6.00 fee when I’m already doing it?” he said. “So it’s kind of a penalty for the people who are already committed to moving 30% of the stuff away from the landfill.”

But Mayor Ted Clugston said the blue bins will likely lead to more than the five to 10 per cent increase in waste diversion as people realize just how easy it is.

“Those of us with young families, you produce a lot of recyclable material and sometimes it doesn’t always make it into the depots,” said Clugston. “But, I can tell you right now, pizza boxes are going in my blue bin versus in the garbage, with just my family alone. And there will be a lot of families like that.”

As for the cost, Clugston said residents may see a savings in other areas as a direct result of the blue bins.

“Yes you’re looking at a $6.00 cost, but there’s also pretty much a $6.00 per month savings because we’re not filling up the landfill as quickly,” he said. “So you’re going to see your solid waste rates stay the same or even go down because we can extend the life of the landfill.”