“Participation is unbelievablly high,” said Mark Pedersen, owner of Can Pak Environmental Inc. of Alix, which began the contract service on April 20.
“It is much stronger than I expected – it is working out great.”
“We are collecting between 12 and 15 tons of recyclables a month, and we don’t normally keep that level after four months.”
In other communities, the participation is high at the start and then levels off or declines, he said.
“Overall in the Town of Stettler, it has gotten higher,” said Pedersen.
“This is well overdue for the town.”
With this bi-weekly service, items such as newspapers, paper cardboard, plastic containers, and metal containers like cans are taken to a processing depot in Edmonton, he said, which is also lessening the loads to the regional landfill.
Now he wants to extend this collection service in the town.
“We want to expand this to commercial customers and apartments,” said Pedersen.
He believes that the strong participation has been made by providing a basic system for people,
“We’ve made it very simple,” said Pedersen.
“When you make things simple and convenient, more people will participate in the program.”
“They just have to put the recyclables into the bin and we take it from there,” said Pedersen.
This overwhelming participation in the program reflects the commitment and desires of residents, the town and Heartland Beautfication Committee.
“I’m not surprised because there is such a demand,” said Susan Nelson, who chairs the committee.
“This is something that people want.”
Several years ago, a survey by the committee found a high demand for residential curbside recycling collection.
“I’ve heard many people say that with this recycling collection, they’re noticing that they are putting out fewer bags of waste,” said Nelson, adding that it is helping to reduce waste taken to the landfill.
Now she wants the program to expand in the community.
“I’m hearing a strong demand for collection from the commercial community,” said Nelson.
“I think that’s the next phase to consider.”
Prior to the start of the program, each house in the town received an 18-gallon green container with the message “Keeping Stettler Clean and Green” – the motto of Heartland Beautification Committee.
Extra bins are for sale for $10 at the town office.