One of the biggest hot topics in Chestermere lately has been around the new recycling and composting programs being introduced to residents by CUI (Chestermere Utilities Incorporated). Originally, green carts were to be delivered in early May, but blue carts were scheduled for a later date. However, on Tuesday April 7th, Chestermere City Council approved Blue Cart Collection as part of CUI’s new Automated Curbside Collection. CUI Operations Manager, Donna McCallum, states “This is great news for Chestermere! Recycling will be more convenient and easier than ever now”.
McCallum continued, “Residents will now receive both of their carts on the same day. They will receive them the week of May 11 to 15. The total amount of space they will need for storage of both carts is 4 feet long by 3 feet deep. With the carts they will receive a brochure with instructions on how to place the carts at the curb for collection as well as with a brochure showing what goes where”.
CUI says that the recycling cart is the larger of the two and can fit a lot of material in it. “At this time we will only accept what is in the cart. If residents have an excess of recycling that does not fit into their cart the depot is also available. We are open 7 days a week. Monday to Fridays from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Saturday’s and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. We do have the carts on display at the CUI office during the week and on weekends at the recycle site. We will also have them on display at our Round Up event on April 18 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.” The list of items is still the same as it was in last week’s article but with a few more details as to specific items. At this time glass is still not on this list. McCallum says that she is still working with CUI’s processor as well as other communities to find a viable market that will accept it.
- Cardboard – flattened
- Boxboard – cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls
- Mixed Paper- junk mail, telephone books, paper bags, office paper, file folder, paper greeting cards, wrapping paper (non-metallic)
- Newspapers, inserts and magazines
- Waxy cartons – aseptic packages and waxy cartons (milk, juice, soy cartons)
- Plastic Bags and bubble wrap – must be bundled into one plastic bag and tied
- Clean Plastics with the recycling symbols #1 to #7 plus plastic beverage rings, plastic bottle caps, yogurt containers, shampoo bottles, margarine containers, fabric softener bottles.
- Tin, aluminum foil, pie tins
- Bottles and cans – however recommend residents return these to their local bottle depot for their refund or donate to local charities.
- Shredded paper should be placed in a clear bag, tied and placed in the recycle cart
All of these items can be placed loose inside the recycling cart. Items that contained a food product or other item such as laundry detergent should be given a quick rinse then placed inside the cart. If residents do not see an item on the list or would like more information about the program please visit their website and click on the link TrashTalk@cuinc.ca or they can contact CUI at 403-207-7284.
