New scales now open at Waste and Recycling Centre

By Lethbridge Herald on February 4, 2026.

Herald photo by ALEJANDRA PULIDO-GUZMAN The new scale house is now open at the Waste and Recycling Centre, featuring two inbound and two outbound lanes and scales.

By Alejandra Pulido- Guzman

Lethbridge Herald

To manage increased traffic and reduce congestion at the Waste and Recycling Centre, the City of Lethbridge has introduced new scale infrastructure designed to improve efficiency. 

The scale house now features two inbound and two outbound lanes and scales, doubling the previous capacity. 

Waste and Recycling Engineer Mark Molesky said during peak hours, they can now handle double the traffic. 

“Now that all lanes are open during peak times, customers should notice smoother flow and shorter wait times,” said Molesky. 

He explained that each lane has a digital sign on the canopy indicating when they are open or closed. 

“If both lanes are open, you are able to queue at each lane separately. And the third lane here is a bypass lane that’s just meant for contractors and internal traffic that aren’t utilizing the scale house,” said Molesky. 

Less vehicle queueing on-site not only enhances safety, but also reduces vehicle idling.

“As part of this project, we added some automated capabilities to the exterior lanes, so those can be fully automated depending on which customers have access to that,” said Molesky. 

He said they also added load inspection cameras and license plate cameras.

“We’re able to do a double check on open loads to make sure they are secure and that they are the correct material type when we’re entering them in,” said Molesky. “Depending on your material type it depends where it goes on site and how much customers are charged, if any.”

The new scale house also improves customer experience by providing an onsite washroom for customers with barrier free access. 

This project was approved and funded through the City of Lethbridge Capital Improvement Program and Molesky said it cost around $4 million. 

To learn more about the Waste and Recycling Centre, including hours of operation and accepted materials, visit https://www.lethbridge.ca/waste-recycling/landfill-waste-recycling-centre/