New Sort and Save program available for waste collection

A new waste collection program based on cart sizes for Strathcona County households will be available May 1, 2023. Advance sign-up is available now.

The new Sort and Save program is a variable rate program. Households can request to exchange their large waste or organics carts to a smaller cart to see a savings on their utilities bill. The smaller 120L carts hold about half the volume of the current 240L carts.

“During engagement for the County’s Waste Management Roadmap, residents provided meaningful input and shared their passion for reducing waste,” says Mayor Rod Frank. “This new program reflects community feedback and the values and philosophies of our Roadmap and Environmental Framework."

Introduced in 2020, Strathcona County’s Waste Management Roadmap outlines a collective, community-wide commitment to rethinking waste and diverting more from landfill. During engagement, residents shared that they wanted a waste system that was more equitable, offered greater flexibility for users and provided incentives for reducing the amount of waste created.

Households that exchange their large waste cart for a small waste cart will see a $12 per month savings on their Utility bill. Those that swap out their organics cart will see a $1 per month savings.

“The current Green Routine program is a ‘one size fits all’ service,” says Leah Seabrook, Manager, Waste Services. “Currently, households that reuse, recycle and compost everything possible are paying the same amount as those who don’t. With Sort and Save, residents who divert as much material as possible from the landfill can be financially recognized for their efforts.”

For households looking for ways to cut down their waste, not everything put in the black waste cart belongs there. Based on Strathcona County’s 2023 waste audit numbers, only 30.6 per cent of what’s in the average black cart is waste.  The average black cart contains: 

• 7.4% textiles and reusable items 
• 8.6% enviroservice and depot items 
• 4.8% blue bag recycling items 
• 48.6% organics 
• 30.6% actual waste  

Initial interest in the program is expected to be high, so residents who sign up to exchange their cart(s) before May 1, 2023, will see the lower rate applied from that date regardless of when Utilities can schedule the exchange of the cart(s).

For more information and to sign up to change carts visit strathcona.ca/SortSave or call Utilities at 780-449-5514.

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Contact: Strathcona County Communications, 780-410-6595