Curbside recycling a no-go for now
Posted 6 months ago
By Marilyn Gray
Hinton will not be getting curbside recycling services any time soon, but the idea has not been ruled out entirely.
Infrastructure services director Mike Schwirtz presented the Town of Hinton Recycling Strategy to council at the regular meeting of March 2, which pointed to the cost of shipping and the current low financial return of recyclables as the main barriers to curbside recycling.
"The market continues to struggle and communities our size are starting to look at different ways of reducing waste in our landfills," said Schwirtz.
He pointed out that the town's multiple recycling depot dropoff sites have been much more successful than it was originally thought they would be.
Though the report suggested that the notion of curbside recycling be put aside until changes in the market make it more viable, it did suggest that a regional partnership may make the service more feasible.
"It may make sense to do it regionally, but locally it doesn't," said Schwirtz. "At least not right now."
The approximate costs of shipping out recycling would be $150 per hour for the mover plus $150 per tonne.
The return on the recyclables is currently too low to break even or make money off the service.
Currently, recycling is being sent to Edmonton through a regional person partnering with Edson.
"Every ounce of recycling we've been able to ship at cost or, in December at least, make a few bucks," said Schwirtz.
The report also suggested looking into promoting organic practices such as composting.
It was also suggested that the Town look into waste energy in the future, turning certain types of waste into electricity.
Town manager Bernie Kreiner said the idea of waste energy was a matter of when, not if, but will not likely be implemented in the near future.
"It's still very early – I'd call it leading edge – for small volumes," said Kreiner. "It's really leading edge, but it will emerge."
Council voted unanimously to defer the idea of curbside recycling until the markets recover and the cost of the service is more feasible.
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