Sylvan Lake town council unanimously approves Solid Waste Master Plan

Per the Town of Sylvan Lake, some of the key timelines in the Implementation Plan include:

Blue Cart Recycling Capacity: Immediately procure an inventory of 360-litre carts and provide them to those residences that require additional recycling capacity at the same monthly rate as the 240-litre carts. A budget approval is required for an inventory of 250 larger 360-litre carts, and a Waste Bylaw amendment is required to adjust the rates.
Organic Waste: Tender for green organic carts in 2027 and implement year-round curbside organic waste collection starting in April 2028 upon the expiry of the current contract for manual organic waste collection. A budget approval and a Waste Bylaw amendment are required.
Biweekly Garbage Collection: Transition to biweekly garbage collection 6 months after year-round organic waste collection has been implemented, in October 2028. Provide 360-litre garbage carts, for an increased monthly fee, to those residences that require additional capacity. A budget approval for an inventory of larger 360-litre carts and a Waste Bylaw amendment are required.
West End Recycling Facility (WERF): Close the WERF once the current hauling services contract expires in July 2027, or funding from the Extended Producer Responsibility ends, whichever occurs later. Administration would seek Council approval before closing the facility.
Waste Transfer Site (WTS): Design an expansion of the WTS in 2028, and begin construction in 2030. Expand the current footprint from about 1 hectare (2.5 acres) to 2 hectares (5 acres). Coordinate the project with the lagoon reclamation project. Requires budgetary approval from council.
Waste Audit: Complete a waste audit in 2031 and determine the diversion rate as compared to the 2025 diversion rate of 22.6 per cent. The master plan sets a goal of a 35 per cent diversion rate.

Multiple councillors had concerns about closing the West End Recycling Facility, including councillor Holly Bilodeau, who said she sees the rate of growth of the community moving west.

“A lot of those people are accustomed to being able to take their cardboard there rather than go all the way over to the waste transfer site,” she said.

However, administration eased some concerns, adding that each recommended item will be revisited and individually presented to council for debate at a later date.

“Everything can be discussed in greater detail. This is a high-level presentation, and council doesn’t have all the information to enact really any of these recommendations yet,” Administration said.

Potential rate changes for water, sewage, and garbage/recycling pickup

In addition, council also approved, as part of the consent agenda, the first reading of the water and sewage bylaw as well as the waste bylaw. They also approved a request to award a tender of $410,000 for a solid waste collection vehicle.

As part of the water and sewage bylaw, they approved a four per cent increase to water and sewage services for residential properties and businesses. However, the decision isn’t final as they’ll hold a public hearing on April 14, before the second and third readings.

As part of the waste bylaw, they approved first reading for a two per cent increase to curbside black cart garbage collection, among other rate changes. The public hearing for that is also set for April 14 at 4 p.m.

by Ian Gustafson

Sylvan Lake town council unanimously approves Solid Waste Master Plan

What's Trending