Airdrie recycling depot offering summer programs

Airdronians interested in recycling now have more opportunity to do so.

The City of Airdrie has extended the hours of operation at the recycling depot for the summer. The facility, located in east Airdrie, is now open on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“There are more people that are recycling in the summer because of yard waste,” said Airdrie’s Team Leader for Waste and Recycling Susan Grimm.

The City is also running several other programs out of the recycling depot including the annual toxic roundup. Until the end of September, residents can drop off their household hazardous wastes, such as pesticides, solvents and paints, at the facility.

All materials must be in labelled and sealed in containers. Empty paint cans will not be accepted.

Household batteries are now being accepted, and will be recycled, with only four per cent waste, by a B.C.-based company.

The annual compost program is also underway, with the site accepting grass and leaf clippings. Last year, the program garnered 435 metric tons of material, which will break down into black soil to be used in city parks and green spaces.

Currently, parks staff is using compost generated from grass and leaves collected in 2010.

“It makes a beautiful black dirt,” said Grimm, adding it is important residents ensure there are no plastics, sod, pet waste or large branches in the mix.

Grimm said residents also have the option of dumping their compost at the transfer site, located west of Airdrie. The transfer site also has a spot to take large tree stumps and branches, which will break down but not in the same time span as the grass and leaves.

Rain barrels and composters are also available at the recycling depot at a cost of $45 for residents or $65 for non-residents.

Last fall, the recycling facility accepted pumpkins for the first time and took in eight metric tons after Halloween.

The program saved the City almost $800 in landfill dumping fees, which helps keep fees low for residents, according to Grimm.

Christmas trees were also accepted and chipped, with the City reusing the resulting mulch in Airdrie parks and green spaces this summer.

According to Grimm, the City takes part in the programs to save materials going into the landfill.

“Eventually we are going to run out of space,” she said.

“We want to do as much as we can without adding to the landfill.”

For more information about recycling programs, visit www.airdrie.ca or call 403-948-0246.