Okotoks set to begin green cart program but some residents not happy

The Town of Okotoks will begin delivering green carts to all single family households next month, but not all residents are happy about the program.

Green carts for organic waste will be delivered to all households in September, with collection beginning the first week of October.

The town is also delivering blue carts for recyclables at the same time to all single family households that have not yet opted into that program.

Chief Administrative officer Nancy Weigel estimated about a third of residents are currently not recycling using the town's blue cart program. 

"Certainly change always takes an evolution and takes a little getting used to," said Weigel. 

For some residents three carts — a green and blue one, along with a black one they already have for household trash — is too many.  

"I feel it should be a payer use," said Jene Tkachuk.

"I don't pay the tax on alcohol because I don't drink. I don't pay the tax on cigarettes because I don't smoke. I should have the choice in this, I don't want to pay the tax on something I don't use."

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Tkachuk said he lives in the United States for six months of the year.

"I'm still paying for everything even though I'm not using it," he said.

There will be no additional charge for the green carts; however, households that haven't yet opted into the blue cart program will be charged an additional $7.25 per month. 

That works out to $20.50 each month for waste pickup.

The move is part of what Weigel called their 80/20 plan of having 80 per cent of waste diverted from the town's landfill by 2020.

"For the most part, a large component of the regular garbage stream is considered organic so if we're able to divert that along with the diversion from our blue cart program then we'll be able to achieve an 80 per cent diversion," she said.

"This is critical so we're able to extend the life of our landfill."

Jessica Watts said she worries the green carts will attract animals.

"I love the deer. I think they're great but I don't want to have to put green products out and invite more animals out."

Several municipalities are adopting similar waste diversion programs across the province, including Calgary, which already has black and blue carts. The green cart program will start in Calgary in 2017.