The impending closure of the Three Hills Recycling Depot has stirred some concerns for Kneehill County residents who utilized the facility, and council discussed existing recycling options and possible future opportunities during the regular Tuesday, October 12 council meeting.
There are several other recycling sites throughout Kneehill County which accept various recyclable materials, including scrap and white metal, wire, and electronic/e-waste; as Kneehill County is a member of the Drumheller District Solid Waste Management Association (DDSWMA), county residents can also use the recycling facilities at the Drumheller District Regional Landfill.
“Recycling is part of sustainability and good stewardship of our communities,” Deputy Reeve Faye McGhee said during council discussion.
Division 7 Councillor Ken King stated, in his opinion, recycling is mostly driven by convenience. He added many households have “trained” themselves to sort their household garbage and recyclables and losing the Three Hills facility was “unfortunate.”
Manager of Environmental Services John McKiernan suggested, if council desired, alternative options for increased recycling services could be explored. This could include amending current operating hours and days at existing facilities, adding to the recyclables accepted at each site, and the possibility of introducing curbside recycling in county hamlets.
Deputy Reeve McGhee added she agreed with Councillor King about finding ways for Kneehill County residents to continue to have a convenient recycling facility or options available.
She added the conversation needed to be continued about how to make recycling more convenient for county residents and would like to see some of those options, and costs involved, explored further.
Deputy Reeve McGhee moved for administration to bring back more information on opportunities to provide better recycling services throughout the county to a future Committee of the Whole meeting. The motion was carried unanimously.
