Starting April 1st, Airdrie residents can start putting pet waste in their residential organics carts.

And no, says Susan Grimm, Airdrie's Team Lead for Waste and Recycling Services, the city isn't pulling a mean April Fool's prank.  

"We're really excited to bring to Airdrie residents the opportunity to recycle pet waste, pet bedding, into the organics cart.  It's not an April Fool's joke, a lot of people are asking," Grimm laughs.

The city is responding to something residents have been asking for since the organics program was launched in 2014.  Grimm says it was that demand, as well as another driver, that prompted them to make the move.

"The first was resident's desire for the program.  The second thing is we're looking for ways to always divert our waste and in our recent waste audit, twelve percent of the material found in the garbage was pet waste.  So this will help us work toward our end goal of reusing waste that goes to the landfill."

Grimm says putting pet waste in organic carts instead of garbage is economically beneficial because disposal costs for organics are 50 percent less than disposal in the landfill.   in recent negotiations with Airdrie's organics processor, the city stipulated that pet waste was to be an accepted material.

Acceptable pet waste includes pet feces, cat litter and bedding for pets such as hamsters and guinea pigs.  Pet waste will be accepted either loose or within a certifiable compostable or paper bag. 

Pet waste will not be accepted in organics receptacles in city parks, at least for the time being according to Grimm.  "That's not to say that it won't be. We're using a different processor right now for the material in the parks.  So, for now, that material will continue to be placed in the garbage bins at the parks."

The city says if you have questions to call Waste and Recycling directly at 403 948-0246 or visit here for more information. 

Questions, comments or story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com

 

 

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