The Town of Turner Valley is taking a different approach to cleaning up the community this spring in light of social distancing regulations.
A dozen large waste bins will be placed in neighbourhoods throughout town for the public to access May 15 to 29 as people do their spring cleaning in their yards. Residents are also encouraged to get outdoors and collect litter along pathways and public green spaces to help beautify the town.
Chief administrative officer Todd Sharpe announced the initiative at council’s May 4 meeting.
“What we want to do is be supportive of residents this spring time and reduce any barriers by helping them with any spring clean-ups in their yards,” he told council. “We’re encouraging residents to take advantage of these bins and help reduce the cost of taking materials to the landfill.”
In past years, the Town joined forces with Black Diamond in Project Green Day, a clean-up initiative that had interested residents meet at the Oilfields Regional Arena in Black Diamond one Saturday in May to select a green space to clean up. Areas included pathways, parks, pocket gardens, green spaces and the Sheep River valley.
Sharpe said the Town of Turner Valley is encouraging residents to select a green space to collect litter any time during the two-week period as a family project.
“We’re asking residents that while they maintain social distancing they can adopt a public space to take a garbage bag, fill it, leave it on the side of the trail or road and town staff will pick it up,” he said. “We’re hoping that during this time of self-isolation and social distancing, any extra time that they have they will help us with that.”
Sharpe estimates the initiative will cost the Town around $15,000.
“We have that money in the solid waste budget so we can manage that,” he told council when asked the cost. “If there is a huge uptake and residents take full advantage of it then we pay more in tipping fees.”
Coun. Lana Hamilton told council she supports the community clean-up idea.
“It will encourage people to take a little bit of time to do some work that maybe they weren’t able to do before, especially now with people being at home,” she said. “Hopefully it’s something we can start doing annually.”
Mayor Barry Crane said with Project Green Day being cancelled due to social distancing regulations in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, he’s glad administration found an alternative.
With the initiative taking place over two weeks, Crane said he expects the number of people pitching in to clean up green spaces this month will exceed that of Project Green Day. He also expects more families to take part.
“My family will adopt a section of the river valley and do some cleaning,” he said.
Sharpe said most materials can be disposed of in the bins. Some exceptions include plant waste, appliances with Freon like air conditioners and deep freezes and construction and demolition materials.
“The only thing we’re asking is that residents follow the directions on the bins as to what’s allowable materials and what’s not,” he said. “We won’t have staff by every bin, so we’re just asking residents to be on the honour system and follow the rules.”
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