2016 Waste and Recycling Program Frequently Asked Questions

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1 Q1: Why did Ponoka launch this new Waste and Recycling Program? The new program was launched on January 4, 2016 to reduce the amount of garbage going to the landfill, to meet the government of Alberta s waste diversion targets for all municipalities, and to help protect the environment for our children and future generations. By working together, this program will increase Town-wide recycling efforts in Ponoka. We thank all residents for their efforts over the past few months to recycle and throw less waste into the garbage. We are proud that Ponoka is joining municipalities across Alberta and across the country in this critical act of environmental stewardship. By each of us doing a little, we can achieve a lot. We will continue to monitor this program over the coming year and report back to Council and the community after this first year on the program s performance and progress. We appreciate your feedback and questions. Q2: How does the new program work? Each home in Ponoka is supplied with two rolling carts one for garbage (the grey bin), the other for yard waste (the green bin). Garbage should be bagged, placed into the grey bin and rolled to the curb or roadside every second week on your collection day. Recycling should be placed in clear or blue transparent bags and set out every other week on the alternate weeks to your garbage pickup. Yard waste (grass, weeds, small branches, plant debris) is placed in the green bin without bags and collected once every week from May 1 to October 31. Q3: Why can t I put kitchen waste into the Green Carts? Only yard waste is allowed in the green carts not kitchen waste because it contaminates the compost pile at the Ponoka Waste Transfer Station where it is hauled and composted. Putting food waste into the green carts will defeat the whole purpose of the program because we would have to haul all of that contaminated compost to the landfill.

2 Provincial regulations don t allow us to compost food waste at the Ponoka Waste Transfer facility. We would have to be a registered compost site which requires a professionally designed and engineered compost pit with an impermeable liner, a drainage system, and other costly requirements that make this an unfeasible service to offer at this time. In order to collect kitchen organic waste, Ponoka would have to ship it to another facility at a very high cost. Full organic waste collection is an idea we continue to explore in hope that we ll find a feasible solution, but for now please put only yard waste into the green carts, and ignore the sticker on your green cart that says kitchen waste is allowed. That is not a Town of Ponoka sticker. Q4. Why did Ponoka change from a weekly garbage collection system to the new biweekly program? The province has set waste diversion targets for all municipalities to divert up to 80 per cent of our waste from landfills to help protect the environment for our children and future generations. Before the new Waste and Recycling Program began, we estimate Ponoka was diverting less than 10 per cent of its household waste from the landfill. In order to meet that provincial goal of an 80 per cent waste diversion rate, we need to implement a program that encourages us all to re-evaluate our waste practices and to throw less of our waste into the garbage. By implementing a 3-stream program that collects both garbage and recycling on a biweekly basis collecting garbage one week and recycling the other as well as weekly yard waste collection throughout the spring, summer and fall, we re providing residents with the ability to change their waste practices at the curb, and throw less waste into the garbage. Q5. Why did we change to front curb pickup instead of back alley garbage collection? With our current garbage contracts coming due, we needed to look at new ways to improve waste collection services. There is a history of overhead line and pole strikes with the previous back alley collection service, which creates significant health and safety concerns. That, combined with worker injury claims due to manually throwing garbage into collection trucks, has driven up the cost of back alley collection significantly, and resulted in most companies refusing to provide back alley service.

3 The new program uses automated collection trucks and front curb pickup to overcome these challenges. Automated collection is a system where garbage and yard waste carts are emptied using a mechanical arm on the truck, instead of workers lifting and emptying cans and bags by hand. With the automated collection program, haulers can be almost any age or stature. With the new program, there s no more sorting recyclables or bagging yard waste. It s easier for the hauler with reduced workplace injuries and shorter collection times. And it s cleaner because the cart lids stay firmly closed, reducing litter. Plus, newer trucks mean fewer emissions and better air quality. Q6: Will there be pick-up on Statutory Holidays? Yes. Your collection will occur on all holidays except Christmas and New Years Day. Q7. Where will I place these new carts for pickup? Carts should be rolled out to the curb by 7 am on your collection day. Position the cart facing forward at the front curb, with the cart s wheels to the curb. Leave 1 meter of space (3-4 feet) between the carts and parked vehicles or other objects, including overhead objects. Q8. Do I need to buy the carts? The cost of the carts is included in the annual fee for collection service. The carts are rentals and part of the service, registered to your specific property and address and will stay with that address should you move. Q9: Do I need to bag my trash? Yes, it is encouraged that all trash be bagged before it is put in the roll cart. Bagging helps keep the cart clean and reduces wind-blown litter. Using bags for recycling also reduces wind-blown debris. Q10: I am a new resident. How do I get carts? Carts belong to the Contractor. One should have been left by the previous owner/tenant. If there are no carts at your property, please contact Town of Ponoka Public Works: It could take up to two weeks to receive delivery of the carts so please plan accordingly. There is no returning of the carts to the Town. Once they are delivered, they are your responsibility to house safely. If you move, the cart stays with your residence.

4 Q11: What is the policy for damaged carts? 2016 Waste and Recycling Program If the damage is not the fault of the homeowner, or it s a result of normal wear and tear, for example, broken lids or wheels, the Town will replace or repair the cart at no charge to the resident. For all other damage, there will be a charge to the homeowner to replace the cart. All repairs or replacement of the carts will be handled through the Town. Q12: Won t the new carts blow over more easily since they are larger? The new automated carts have been tested, and are very stable. One of the 65 gallon carts can withstand up to 45 mph winds when empty. In addition, the lids are attached so they will not blow away. Q13: Will there be any exception to the front curb pickup? Who do I talk to if I have concerns about my street being a busy main street, a tight cul-de-sac, or too steep? Please call the Town to discuss any questions of this nature as decisions will be made on a case by case basis. Q14: Where do I put my cart if there is a big snowfall, snowbank or windrow? Please place the cart wherever you can with the correct orientation (wheels to the curb) for pick up. You may place your cart on either side of the bank, preferably on the street side. Q15: Where do you get the clear or blue transparent recycling bags? Most local hardware and grocery stores carry them, and they are similar in price to regular bags. Q16: Do I have to wash my recycling? Labels do not have to be removed. The recycling company asks that cans are rinsed. It is better if material is given a rinse. Remember it does not have to be sorted, this happens at the plant in Edmonton. Q17: What do I do with glass and Styrofoam? These items are not accepted for recycling at this time. Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) blocks, peanuts and containers cannot be recycled. Please throw this material away. Glass can be brought to the Waste Transfer Site.

5 Q18: Can I opt out of this program? 2016 Waste and Recycling Program Recycling: Residents can choose to use either the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse blue box program or the Town s curbside recycling service. We support the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse which has provided work for community members and operated a recycling program for many years. Please call them directly for details. This is a Town-wide recycling program and residents are asked to choose which way they would like to participate. Waste: The Waste and Recycling Program is a Town-wide residential program that was approved by Town Council to meet provincial waste reduction standards. The waste service is provided to all residents, and fees will apply to all resident utility bills. By working together, we can reduce garbage going to the landfill and increase the amount of waste we recycle and compost. Q19: Is the Town still accepting recycling at the Waste Transfer Site? Yes, recycling and yard waste can be brought to the Town s Waste Transfer Station at no charge but residents are encouraged to use the curbside recycling and yard waste collection program. It is more convenient and cost effective, as the Town has to pay an additional cost to haul recycling from the Waste Transfer Station to a recycling facility in Edmonton. Q20: What about Toxic Roundup, will it still take place? We now have a year around Hazardous Waste Collection program at the Waste Transfer Station. You can bring household hazardous waste such as paint and aerosol cans free of charge. Keep checking back to see if new information has been added here. Your questions and feedback are important as we implement this program and monitor it during year one. Working together we can help make Ponoka a cleaner, greener community. For more information about the new Waste and Recycling Program, please visit the Town s Website at Information is also available at the front counter of the Town Office. We invite you to contact the Town with any other questions by calling or Thank you.