(Town of Ponoka)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

pay closer attention!

Ponoka needs residents to be more mindful of what they’re putting into green carts

Apr 27, 2022 | 11:04 AM

The Town of Ponoka wants its residents to help eliminate non-compostable waste from green carts.

Since the beginning of January, only one truckload of compostable waste has gone to the compost site, while ten other truckloads have been rejected due to contaminated compost and sent to the landfill.

“The majority of Ponoka citizens who are using their green carts are doing a great job of putting the right materials in the carts. However, we are finding that a small number of households are using their green carts for regular household garbage or they are bagging their organic waste with non-compostable bags,” said Dwayne Kwolick, Manager of Environmental Services.

“Whenever non-compostable items are thrown into a green cart – even if it’s just a single plastic bag – it contaminates the whole truckload of compostable waste. That means the truckload gets rejected at the compost site and must be sent to the landfill, which results in extra costs for transportation and tipping fees.”

The extra costs eventually get passed down to residents through utility bills.

no flag or crosswalk requests received

Didsbury citizens' group vehemently opposed to proposed 'Public Spaces Neutrality Bylaw'

Mar 20, 2026

makin' stuff up!

Thurber improv team wins regionals, will head to Ottawa

Mar 20, 2026

travel occurred march 10

Measles exposure reportedly travelled from Calgary to Red Deer, Edmonton and Grande Prairie

Mar 20, 2026

Starting May 4, the Town will check green carts at the curb prior to pick up to ensure only the right material is inside.

“Carts that contain unacceptable materials will be tagged with a pink sticker and left at the curb unemptied. We will also place a second sticker on the green cart that lists items that may and may not be placed in the cart,” said Kwolick.

“Residents with tagged carts will have the option of removing the unacceptable items and placing the green cart at the curb for pick up the following week. Residents can also choose to take their cart to be emptied at the Town’s Waste Transfer Station for a minimum $8 fee.”

Also in the first week of May, the Town is switching to weekly pick-up of green carts through the end of October, with the Waste Transfer Station checking to summer hours of 8:30-4, Monday through Saturday.

A complete list of items that can be composted in your green cart is posted on the Town website at www.ponoka.ca/p/green-carts. Stickers that list what can be placed in your green cart are also available for pick up at the Town Office at the Ponoka Civic Centre (200, 5604 50 Street).