Town to shutter recycling depots in preparation for curbside service

The Town of Drumheller council nixed six recycling containers seen as redundant as a new provincial government program linked to extended producer responsibility (EPR) is set to begin. The decision was made at the July 7 regular meeting of council.

The Town of Drumheller council nixed six recycling containers seen as redundant as a new provincial government program linked to extended producer responsibility (EPR) is set to begin. The decision was made at the July 7 regular meeting of council. Director of Infrastructure Services Jared Brounstein asked councillors to decide the fate of a number of municipal containers for residential recycling that, amidst a new provincial recycling program’s introduction wouldn’t be needed.

“Beginning October 1, 2026, residential recycling services within the municipality will transition from town-provided depot drop-off sites to curbside collection provided by a Government of Alberta contractor, Circular Materials,” stated Brounstein’s report. Brounstein explained that Circular Materials will collect all recyclables from Drumheller residences but asked councillors if they felt certain town-owned depots should remain in place despite the fact that residents should no longer have to go to depots once the new program is fully engaged. It was noted several times Circular Material’s new program only affects residential recycling.

He noted staff felt certain depots should be closed. “Administration recommends supporting the closure of the six recycling depot sites currently being contracted to and managed by the Drumheller & District Solid Waste Management Association (DDSWMA), following the implementation of curbside recycling,” stated the staff report. Councillor Maddie Miller agreed with the staff recommendation.

“I don’t think it makes much sense to double up on services that are provided (by Circular Materials)” said Miller. Councillor Tom Zariski stated that cardboard seems to be the top residential recycled material in Drumheller and wondered if curbside containers would be big enough to handle all the cardboard on top of all other recyclables. Zariski also observed that the public seems to have a lot of unanswered questions about this new curbside recycling program.

During discussion it was noted several times the curbside program is the provincial government and Circular Materials’ responsibility and issues like container size have nothing to do with the municipality. Councillor Pat Kolafa, a board member of the DDSWMA, confirmed that Circular Materials will continue to support a bin at the landfill. Kolafa further noted that other provinces have already introduced EPR programs and have experience Alberta could benefit from, so he’s confident the transition should go smoothly.

Councillor Kolafa moved that council reinforced its support of the incoming provincial curbside residential recycling program and directed administration to close the six residential recycling depot sites effective Nov. 1, seconded by Councillor Miller, passed.