Waste Not, Want Not-Bow Island residents recycle after the holidays

By Stan Ashbee

Alberta Newspaper Group

Town of Bow Island Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Dave Matz recently discussed post-Christmas waste and recycling with the Bow Island Commentator.
Matz noted the town has its very own recycling facility — where residents can recycle cardboard, paper, and plastics. “The town operates and manages that facility.”
According to Matz, he spoke with town staff about the amount of recycling received at the facility after the 2018 holiday season. Staff noted every year at Easter and Christmas there is a big spike in the amount of recycling materials that comes in.
“It’s about the same every year. They don’t weigh it or have actual numbers for it, but they are saying there’s definitely a big spike on those two days every year, right afterwards in recycling,” he explained.
Is there any increase in the town’s garbage collection? Matz said staff have noted they don’t see any real increase in garbage collection during those times.
“It appears the extra waste produced is being put into recycling, not into garbage,” he added.
Matz said because of the extra recycling after the two holidays — there is, of course, more work for town employees. “To just process all the recycling materials.”
There’s a big benefit to the town’s landfill when residents recycle, rather than throwing things out into the garbage.
“There’s an increase in the amount of waste, but it’s not going to the landfill. It’s going to the recycling centre and that takes pressure off our landfill situation,” said Matz.

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