Crossfield Town council has asked staff to look into the possibility of bringing curbside recycling to the municipality.
The idea was brought up last year, and was tabled after council decided it needed more information about the service, specifically the potential increase in cost for the service year after year.
Current estimates would see a $9 increase to residents bimonthly bills, roughly a $60 hike over the course of the year.
“It’s a great idea in year one, but these things can get out of hand, we want to make sure there is nothing missing before we go to the public,” said Mayor Nathan Anderson. “If people are paying more for their utilities, that is just another tax.”
The service would be exactly like that provided in Calgary, with a bin for recyclables picked up each week.
Council said that the current self-sort system, where users sort their own recycling, and deliver them to bins in the industrial area of town, is not as convenient as the curbside option, and may have more people to recycle due to the ease of use.
“I think for some, they will jump on board because it’s easy,” said Anderson. “There is a bit of a moral argument too. Convenient may not be enough of an argument.”
Currently, Anderson has no timeline for an open house on the service, but says this idea will need serious backing to come to fruition.
“Let us know what you think. Don’t abstain. If you don’t ... make your thoughts known we assume people are indifferent,” said Anderson.
“It’s important for people to speak up. This is something that needs a strong majority because we are altering the status quo. We will need buy-in from the public. If people don’t participate and there isn’t a lot of buy in, it probably won’t fly.”
Anyone with any thoughts on curbside recycling can call the Town at 403-946-5565 or email [email protected]
