As COVID-19 pandemic efforts continue, some normalcy is coming back. The local recycling program in Drumheller has returned albeit with a few exceptions.
  As of May 2, the recycling program at the Drumheller landfill has resumed. Recycling was suspended early in the pandemic efforts. At this point recycling bins have been returned to the transfer stations of the members of the Drumheller and District Solid Waste Management Association (DDSWMA).         In Drumheller recycling drop off is being provided at the landfill.
    Residents can drop their cardboard, newsprint, tin, hard plastic, and bond paper. The local community bins have not yet been installed.
 Tammi Nygaard of DDSWMA says they are taking precautions. The bins are sanitized and when dropping off, residents are asked to observe physical distancing.
    “It is a different process for us as we have to hold it for three days before we process it just to make sure there are no active virus on anything,” said Nygaard.
    She says the market for recyclable goods is very strong right now.
    “The markets are screaming for it. This pandemic globally has hit them hard, first of all, because a lot of commercial businesses are not open, so they are not bringing in all their goods and restaurants are not operating, so the commercial side has declined, but the residential side has just boomed because people are buying more online and everything is coming in boxes.”
    “When you talk to the mills and the brokers they are telling us to not stop (the recycling programs), they need the cardboard right now, it is $209 a ton,” she said. “All of this packaging is really necessary for medical supplies, food supplies.”
    She adds, local recycling often does well on the market because Drumheller and its partners provide a  sorted clean product.
       For more information contact the DDSWMA at 403-823-1345.

    As the May Long Weekend came and went, local businesses are getting back into the swing of things under the new reality of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 On May 14 the province relaxed some restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the Coronavirus. Mike Yavis of Yavis Family Restaurant has reopened for dine-in service at the restaurant, lounge, and patio, and is happy to see the many local familiar faces back, as well as staff.
    “It is certainly the biggest challenge I have been through in 40 years of business,” said Yavis.
    He says they are working under new restrictions which includes meticulous sanitation and even small overlooked things such as having salt and pepper shakers on the table are no longer a common practice.
    “It is good to have customers back and to see all the regulars. Definitely, people are nervous, and it is not nearly as busy as before or as would it would be at this time of year, especially on the long weekend,” he said. “There are lots of rules and we are sticking by them and hopefully, things change in the near future and get back to normal, but I think this is going to be here most of the summer.”
    He said over the long weekend he did see some out of town visitors who were happy to be served.
    The long weekend was good for local campgrounds, as well as visitors wanting to get away from the COVID -19 restrictions.
    Tommy Park of the Hoodoo RV Resort and Campground said the campground was full and visitors were appreciative. It too is working under new protocols, which includes closing common areas such as washrooms and showers. There is also no tenting.
    “The visitors knew all the rules and what they could do, so there were no complaints,” said Park.