Clearwater County will not be facilitating a ‘Kick It To The Curb’ type program at local waste transfer stations.
A motion to explore the idea was presented by former Councillor Sydney Graham back in spring 2024, directing administration to prepare a report on potential options for implementing ReUse sheds at the county’s waste transfer stations.
Previously, a similar program was run at the Rocky Eco Centre from 2010 to 2020 as part of a waste diversion initiative, but the program was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent dissolution of the Rocky Mountain Regional Solid Waste Authority in 2021. Despite the program’s popularity, with 25,000 visits in 2019, it struggled with high staffing demands, site congestion, and parking issues.
There are currently 10 waste transfer stations in Clearwater County (Crammond, Leslieville, Crossroads, Faraway, Cline, Everdell, Central, Cow Lake, Nordegg, Caroline), none of which have capacity to house a ReUse program, the report shows.
Numerous logistical challenges were identified for implementing ReUse facilities at current transfer stations, including the need for increased staffing to manage operations, space limitations, safety concerns, liability, and potential vandalism.
Kurt Magnus, director of Public Works Operations says workers are chasing away trespassers “every morning” from the Central station near Rocky Mountain House, and have to deal with other hazards such as needle debris.
Additionally, Magnus also outlined concerns over increased traffic congestion, especially in Leslieville, where vehicles are already lining up along Hwy. 761 to drop off solid waste.
Capital cost estimates for establishing ReUse sheds at various stations were estimated to cost as much as $26,000, with ongoing operational costs estimated at an additional $189,300 annually for staffing.
Smaller wooden cattle sheds would be set up at the smaller stations such as Leslieville and Caroline, with a larger structure considered for Central.
Legal concerns also played a role in the decision. Municipal legal advice highlighted potential liabilities, such as the risk of injury or regulatory violations if prohibited items were accepted at ReUse sheds. The county would also face the challenge of ensuring the safety and legality of materials made available to the public.
Councillor Genny Mehlhaff expressed dismay at the level of difficulty in seeing the project come to fruition.
“Having a calf shelter where they can drop something off and grab it, (constituents) don’t feel it needs to be as difficult as a lawyer is telling us, nor do I,” she says.
Ultimately, a motion introduced by Coun. Jordon Northcott was passed to not increase the level of service by implementing a Solid Waste and Recycling Reuse Program.
Northcott pointed to the litany of options already available to residents to downsize items, such as as garage sales and online marketplaces.
Currently, several other Alberta waste transfer stations have a ReUse type program. That includes the ‘Drop n’ Swap’ program in Sylvan Lake, A ‘ReUse’ centre in Drayton Valley, and a ‘Take it or Leave It’ tent in Yellowhead County.
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- Clearwater County Deputy Reeve Sydney Graham resigns
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- Rocky’s green bin composting program sees success in reducing waste
- Town, County, Village going separate ways in waste management
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