Waste Audit Aims to Improve Waste Diversion in Stony Plain

Don’t Just Trash It! A waste audit is coming to Stony Plain this summer to improve waste diversion and tackle the issue of recyclables and organics being sent to the landfill.

GFL will be performing a waste audit across the community beginning August 16. Crews will be going house to house to audit waste, organics, and blue bags to pinpoint problem areas and inform residents of proper waste disposal guidelines. Organic carts and blue bags with contaminants found in them will be stickered and left behind by GFL to be picked up on the next rotation once contaminants have been removed. Waste carts will not be left behind but will be stickered to flag any items that should be disposed of through the organics cart or blue bags.

“Last year, Stony Plain achieved a 53% waste diversion rate. The organics and blue bag programs are key initiatives where residents play a direct role in improving sustainability within Stony Plain,” says Mayor William Choy. “The audit is a great opportunity for all of us to brush up on recycling guidelines and take a harder look at our waste disposal habits.”

“As recycling guidelines change, we need to ensure we are providing guidance for our community and doing our part to clarify sustainable waste disposal practices for residents. The waste audit will give us a better idea of what areas are causing problems and where we should be focusing our efforts in terms of providing educational material to the community,” says Senior Communications Officer Stephanie Barsby Boisvert.

The waste audit is anticipated to run in both August and September and will continue until all residences in Stony Plain have been audited by GFL. A report outlining GFL’s findings will be submitted to the Town following the audit.

To learn more about waste disposal and recycling guidelines, visit the Stony Plain website and download the Recycle Coach app.