Council being asked to approve toxic/e-waste collection pilot project

By Lethbridge Herald on May 20, 2022.

Al Beeber
Lethbridge Herald

The Economic Standing Policy Committee is recommending city council implement a one-year pilot program for as many as three toxic/e-waste collection roundups for residents in city limits.

The motion put forward on Wednesday also calls for administration to report back to council with outcomes of the pilot and to make appropriate recommendations in terms of requirements for an operational budget.

The motion was passed Wednesday after a presentation by Mandi Parker, the general manager of the City’s Waste and Recycling utility.

The city’s Waste and Recycling Unit can provide as many as three events per year.

Joel Sanchez, Director of Infrastructure Services, told the SPC that if the pilot project is successful, more events could be held. The cost to each individual dwelling residence in the city would be minimal, less than one cent per month if three such roundups were held in a year.

Based on the last six years of data, stated a report presented to the SPC, an average of 3,285 customers use the hazardous and e-waste drop-off sites at the Waste and Recycling Centre just north of the city. A dedicated area exists at that facility where people can drop off toxic and e-waste year-round.

Total amount of material diverted from the landfill amounts to over 250 tonnes. Studies suggest at least an additional 600 tonnes of household hazardous and e-waste could be diverted.

Lethbridge was the first municipality to be a participant in the provincial electronic waste diversion program.

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