If you live in southwest Calgary, you may have noticed a new green cart has been delivered to your curb.
City crews will begin collecting food and yard waste from green composting bins in southwest Calgary starting on July 18, 2017.
Here’s what you need to know to ensure there are no hiccups on pick-up day:
1. What to put in your green bin
Anything left on your plate after you’ve finished your meal can go into the green bin; that includes leftovers from your pet’s dinner as well.
Cooking oil, lard, gravy and other sauces like mayonnaise are all allowed.
You can also compost paper plates, coffee grounds and filters and tea bags as well as paper towels and napkins.
“Residents will find that by using their green cart for food and yard waste, they can cut their garbage in half since most waste can be composted or recycled,” green cart implementation lead, Philippa Wagner, said in a statement on Monday.
Yard waste can also go into the bin, including weeds, grass clippings and hedge prunings.
Extra yard waste should be placed in a paper bag that has been set away from the side of the cart.
2. Collection days have been moved
Starting the week of July 17, people in the southwest should be aware of new collection dates for garbage and recycling.
Green and blue carts will be picked up every week on the same day, while black carts will be picked up once every two weeks on a different day.
Make sure to check the collection schedule delivered with your cart or visit the city’s website.
3. Scheduling reminders – there’s an app for that
You can schedule a free reminder to let you know when your collection day is approaching.
It is available through an app that can be downloaded on the iTunes app store or the Google Play store, or through text, email or phone through the city website.