The City of Airdrie is launching a one-year pilot program at the Airdrie recycling depot starting October 1 that will allow local businesses to use the facility for a nominal fee.
The City of Airdrie is launching a one-year pilot program at the Airdrie recycling depot starting October 1 that will allow local businesses to use the facility for a nominal fee.
According to the City of Airdrie website, city council approved the project at the March 16, 2020 meeting. The city’s waste and recycling team leader, Susan Grimm, said that the program was originally scheduled to start last year, but was delayed due to protocol changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It just didn’t make sense to invite more traffic to the site,” she said.
Grimm explained that the project grew out of a five-year waste management plan that was presented to council in 2018. The plan included various waste diversion efforts that spanned the residential, mixed-use and commercial sectors, he said. she declared.
“We have companies that have wanted to come here and use this service for some time,” Grimm said. “[The project] gives small businesses the opportunity to have an option [apart from a third-party service] which can be costly at times, compared to just throwing the material in the landfill, which we always want to avoid. “
Throughout the year, Grimm said the Waste and Recycling Services team will monitor statistics associated with the project, including the impact on local business operations, material volumes, staff, budget. and whether security can be maintained for residents, businesses and staff. .
The team leader said the pilot project is also designed to gauge interest and determine whether the project is sustainable or not.
Currently, the City of Airdrie recycling depot is funded by an environmental charge collected from residents through property taxes.
To participate in the program, businesses must be a Canadian corporation with less than 100 employees and hold a valid business license from the City of Airdrie. A prorated subscription fee of $ 10 per month is billed in advance.
Participating companies are welcome to bring various items, Grimm said, provided they are clean and uncontaminated. These items include plastic containers number one through five and number seven, classified by standard plastic identification. These include paper, cardboard and boxboard, metal and aluminum food containers, electronics including televisions, computers, printers, scanners, fax machines, appliances and light bulbs. (except LEDs).
Styrofoam, cooking oil, textiles and clothing packaging can also be abandoned.
Items not permitted under the pilot program include hazardous waste, commercial or industrial chemicals, motor oil, oil filters, gasoline, antifreeze and paint.
Grimm encourages local businesses to take advantage of this pilot program to save money and do their part to help the environment.
“It’s a cost effective option and it keeps all of those resources out of the landfill,” she said.
She also encourages those visiting the depot to check the City’s website for a list of frequently asked questions. She also suggested sorting the materials before arriving at the site.
“It will greatly speed up your experience when you get here,” she said.
The Airdrie recycling depot is located at 21 East Lake Hill NE.
For a list of frequently asked questions and to register a business for the pilot, visit airdrie.ca/businesspilot