For optimum impact, a recycling program should be in place for all sectors of a municipality. The Town of Okotoks is aware of this, but made the decision to take a step back with its industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) sector and phase in programs for business owners. Cost is one of the main factors behind the change in plans, despite the fact there is ever-increasing demand on the Foothills Regional Landfill. Recycling programs like the universal blue and green cart system in Okotoks are designed to prevent the landfill from reaching its maximum capacity, which could be detrimental to the region. The Province has indicated there won’t be new permits issued for landfills, so it’s important for municipalities and residents in the Foothills to take care of the resource at their fingertips. However, the cost of hauling materials and implementing ICI sector programs is higher than anticipated when the Town set its goals and adopted its waste management bylaw two years ago. To help ease business and property owners into their programs, Town council agreed to phase in the ICI sector recycling and extend the deadline to have it in place from Jan. 1, 2019 to the end of December 2020. It’s a smart move on the part of the Town. A lot of businesses are still struggling to figure out how this piece of the puzzle will fit into tight budgets that already see overhead threatening to outweigh profit. It will mean a little more labour on behalf of employees and potential monetary implications to have recyclables hauled by private companies. Extending the deadline showed businesses in Okotoks the Town is willing to take a step back and work with them to achieve the best outcome for all involved. It’s a good precedent for council to set as it looks to the future.
