City contest helps launch organic waste collection
By Lethbridge Herald on May 16, 2023.
City waste and environment processing manager Steve Rozee announces the launch of the new Curbside Enthusiasm Contest on Monday at city hall.
Herald photo by Justin SibbetJustin Sibbet – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Everyone loves free stuff, so the City of Lethbridge waste and environment department has created a contest full of giveaways to help introduce the new organic waste collection bins.
Beginning today, the city will start picking up green organic waste bins and taking them to the new organics processing facility.
James Nicholls, collections manager for the waste and environment department, says residents of the city’s southside can expect to see their bins collected first.
“We are going to be grabbing those green carts on a weekly basis until the end of October,” Nicholls announced Monday at City Hall.
He noted it’s important residents ensure their bin is filled with the proper, compostable items and not contaminants, including bags that are not paper.
“One of the big things that we’ve heard about are those compostable and biodegradable bags,” Nicholls pointed out. “One of the reasons that we’re not accepting those bags in the program at this time, is there’s a wide variety of products out there … you can find products that claim to be biodegradable or compostable, but don’t actually break down during the composting process.”
He said residents are welcome to pick up free samples of acceptable paper bags at city hall, which were donated to the city.
Despite the list of things that can’t be put in the bins, Nicholls said there is a huge list of items that can be placed in the bins, and are even encouraged to be put in.
“The user guide is the best place to start to find those items. A couple big ones that I want to emphasize are meat, bones, anything you would take to the yard waste site, like your grass clippings.”
He noted the kitchen pail is perfect for spoiled vegetables, solid greases and much more.
Steve Rozee, processing manager with the waste and environment department, announced the contest accompanying the launch of the green carts. The contest is called the “Curbside Enthusiasm Contest” and it runs from May 16 to June 19.
Rozee said he hopes the initiative will help residents understand and use their organic carts.
“The contest is going to give residents one of 10 opportunities to win a $500 gift card for a local business,” said Rozee.
He assures residents they will not “have to climb a mountain” to participate in the contest, and the required tasks are easy and accessible.
“Some of the activities are things like, using your kitchen pail that’s been supplied with your cart, so taking your kitchen pail into your home, putting some organic material from your kitchen in it and showing us through a photo that will be on 311 chat, email or social media.”
Rozee said the city understands the frustrations over this change and hopes the contest will be a fun way to help residents better understand the new initiative.
“We recognize that we are asking the community to change the way they manage their waste. Part of what we’re doing with this contest is helping [residents] suggest the steps that they’ll take in a systematic way to successfully make that change.”
He said the city has been promoting the organic pickup for some time, but this contest will offer a unique opportunity to engage with the community in a more interactive way.
“This type of a fun, engaging event has shown some promise for us in the past, so hopefully it helps people get over the hill.”
Cyndi Bester, CEO of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, said she is happy to see this contest involve local businesses.
“It’s a great link between community and business and being able to go to 10 different businesses and spend local,” said Bester.
She said an initiative such as this will help raise awareness and excitement around both environmental support and support of local businesses.
“I think it’s really a win-win opportunity and a win-win conversation that we need to have around this topic.”
Bester said the contest should also help increase the use of the new green bins, adding that it will get people talking.
“This is such a great start to getting those conversations going in a positive way.”
The city has partnered with the C of C and Downtown BRZ to support the contest, which will put $5,000 directly back into the community. Details for the contest will be added weekly on the city’s Facebook page.
The winning residents will be contacted directly by the city, and the winner can select a gift card from a variety of local businesses in Lethbridge.
Additional information is available by attending City Hall or calling 311.
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Celebrating something that was forced on all of us, in an attempt to justify some pricey jobs in City Hall.