By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

waste reduction

Town of Rocky Mountain House and Alberta firm to develop new strategy

Apr 11, 2019 | 2:42 PM

The Town of Rocky Mountain House is moving forward with the creation of a new waste reduction strategy.

This week, town council approved the idea of hiring Bluffton-based Sonnevera International Corp. to develop such a plan.

“We’re going to be legislated into changing our ways. This is just proactive on our part of looking at how we can decrease what we’re putting in the landfill. It’s responsible land stewardship,” said Mayor Tammy Burke.

She went on to say that she believes residents will be really happy with what the Town and Sonnevera come up with.

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“You look at all the other countries that are implementing complete plastic (bag) bans, and I think it’s due time for us to look at our town facilities,” she added. “It’s crucial to take that step and be the leader in whatever it is we think we need to do.”

A report to council shows the agreement with Sonnevera is within the 2019 budget of $55,000.

In the end, the strategy will recommend cost-effective and environmentally sound solutions to municipal waste management, including:

-Diversion targets
-Progressions diversion options (recycling and composting)
-Bans on certain materials
-Alternatives to encourage reduction and reuse

Sonnevera has completed numerous other similar projects, including The City of Red Deer’s Integrated Solid Waste Management Master Plan, the Town of Blackfalds’ Waste Management Review, and Drayton Valley’s Long-Range Waste Management Strategy and Analysis.

Work on the waste reduction strategy for Rocky Mountain House is expected to take place this spring and summer, with a final report coming back to council in the fall.