Lethbridge’s recycling system shows democracy in action
By Lethbridge Herald on June 2, 2023.
Editor:
Our country had a problem – too much garbage being generated and too many uncontrolled landfills.
Eighty percent of the waste material going into the landfills was Industrial, commercial and Institutional (ICI) – 20 per cent was post consumer household waste. Our city of Lethbridge saw the figures and a plan was developed. The ICI would be addressed in a manner to show concern(bins for cardboard) but not upset or discourage commerce , the generator of jobs and wealth.
An easier target was the homeowner – i.e. – post consumer waste, so a drop off system for recycling was put into place. This system was used by only 20 per cent of the population – 80 per cent elected to just put everything in the garbage bin that had been provided by the city – it was easier. Our democracy in action!
Next came the decision to provide a blue bin for recyclable materials and again 80 per cent of the home owners loved it – it was easy and no sorting was needed and the real recyclers could access the drop depots and have the city recycle what was not allowed in the blue bins (mainly glass and plastic film).
Again our democracy in action.
Next came the decision to address the greenhouse gas situation – methane generated by organics going into the landfill – grass, household kitchen food waste and general yard waste such as leaves and small branches – and yes for the real recyclers there is the drop depot for the large items and yes, we got another bin – this time a green one.
Eighty per cent of the homeowners agreed to this as it was easy and 20 per cent who were already composting in their backyard had to go along with the majority. Again, our democracy in action. So now the City of Lethbridge has the homeowners’ waste under control and the back alleys filled with containers that homeowners must manage in ways they see fit.
All this work and money (estimated to be close to $50 million (all costs in ) to capture 80 per cent of the 20 per cent of what was going into the landfill.
Again – democracy in action.
Now with collection, sorting and composting looked after, the City of Lethbridge can concentrate on the big waste generator – the Industrial, Commercial, Institutional waste.
Hopefully that can be done in a way that the ICI sector can handle – after all they are our bread and butter. Again – our democracy in action.
Grant R Harrington
Lethbridge
15-14
And when the city put out a survey years ago about this process and this 80%/20% was pointed out to the city and their departments, who had hi paying jobs that depended on this point and a number of others (including a councilors spouse)they unashamedly and unprofessionally twisted the results to get the results they wanted to do what they had already started to do. Including ordering the recycle bins before council had even voted on it.
Yet another example of who is really running the city; it’s not Council.
Democracy in action – no option to opt out of the green bin program.
Democracy the term mandatory on residentials
The City environment committee chaired by Councilor Carlson and three enviro groups had two choices the ICI strategy 80,000 tonnes,21000 tonnes organic, 14000 tonnes food waste in landfill #7 ,or Residential group 20,478 tonnes waste,6000 tonnes organic 1400 tonnes food. This group are on the save the landfill, proper waste diversion they did not have a brain wave on proper business they gave the ICI business a 5year no exemption,no targets, the former Councilor Hyggen put forth a resolution to extend another three years to 2021 target 21% reduction no mandatory clause, citizens bought it.
The Citizens should be taking a good look at the $4.75 million from AB MSI funding the MLA stated explicitly for The purchase of vehicles $1.5million, 4pcs organic facility equipment $2million vehicle garage $1.5million. so who pays The Mayor and and former GM waste&recycle stated they have grabbed the $4.75 million to pay for organic facility you should have a talk with MLA Neufeld specificly what the MSI grant money was for he is quoted as saying for eqipment,vehicles and such.