LETHBRIDGE- To say curbside recycling has been a big debate in Lethbridge is a bit of an understatement.
Councillor Bridget Mearns says enough is enough, and after seven years of conversations, “It’s time for a result, it’s time for action.”
Mearns was of three Councillors who voted in favor of a year-long pilot project for blue bin recycling. The final vote was 6-3 against the motion.
Mayor Chris Spearman was answering some tough questions on social media after the vote. Many residents saying he campaigned on curbside recycling, but fell short when he voted against the project.
Spearman says it’s a matter of having more options today.
“We talk about having an anerobic digester right here in the city, the largest one in Canada. It receives organic waste and produces electricity. When we did the survey, that option wasn’t available.”
That survey was done in 2012, when Lethbridge residents voted 80 percent in favor of the blue bins.
Mearns says the process needs to start somewhere, and she feels more residents would be on board with recycling items like cardboard and plastic.
“The organics have something called a ‘yuck factor’, which means people don’t use it. So first you get them acclimatized or used to recycling with the blue bin, and then you introduce the organics.”
None of the Councillors were in disagreement about one thing – reducing the amount of items entering the city’s landfill. However, but when it comes down to choosing the best option, the decision hasn’t been as easy.
“There is a number of reasons why we need to do this, other than just offering this additional service for a big convenience to our residents. The long term results of diverting waste from our landfill,” adds Mearns.
She says she will continue to push for the blue bin option, while the Mayor says he will bring forward a business resolution to Council that ensures curb side recycling remains a priority
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