Nearly 13 million kilograms of organic waste have been diverted from the landfill thanks to curbside green carts over the past two years in Lethbridge.
That averages out to about 382 kilograms per household.
From that, the city has been able to give more than 56,000 kilograms of free compost to residents.
Green carts were rolled out in the city two years ago, and officials say the program has been successful.
The city is aiming to divert 50 per cent of the waste generated in Lethbridge by 2030.
“We know from our waste composition audits that there’s a lot more room for growth. We’re still seeing 25 to 30 per cent of the materials that make it into the black cart as compostable organic material, so we know there is a lot of room for growth,” said James Nicholls, City of Lethbridge collections manager.
“Just with education and outreach—just continuing to reach out to residents of Lethbridge—we hope to make that number a little bit smaller.”
“We still see small rates of contamination,” said Eric Furgason, City of Lethbridge waste and recycling co-ordinator.
“Mostly plastic, film bags—compostable or otherwise—(and) we get odd things like garden tools and other pieces of metal.”
The city will give out free compost to residents during its Earth Day celebration on Saturday at Legacy Park.
Also, the weekly collection of green carts will begin in May.
