LETHBRIDGE HERALD
Though many trees remain green, leaf collection service has begun in Lethbridge.
The city’s waste and recycling staff began curbside pickup this week, and they’ll continue until the end of November. There’s no charge for city residents — and no limit — so long as they place their leaves in tall paper bags being sold by local retailers.
Heather Gowland, the city’s waste and recycling co-ordinator, says leaf pickup started here four years ago. Over the first three years, she reports about 275 tonnes of leaves have been composted instead of being landfilled.
Once they’ve decomposed, she says, they’re ready to be used as mulch by parks personnel.
Residents are asked to put their leaves in special weather-resistant bags being sold at nominal cost. Gowland says they’re lined to withstand autumn’s wind, rain and snow.
Recycling crews will cover the city in two rounds, she says. Residents whose garbage is picked up on Tuesdays were scheduled for leaf pickup this week, and again Nov. 5-9.
Wednesday pickup areas are scheduled for Oct. 8-12 and the second week of November, with Thursday and Friday pickup areas scheduled for service on each month’s third or fourth week, respectively.
Crews will come by sometime during that week, Gowland points out — not just on the usual garbage day. Residents are asked to place the bags near the place they’d normally position their garbage cart.
Alternatively, she adds, residents can take their leaves to the city’s yard waste recycling depot in the 700 block of 3 Avenue North.
Further information is available by calling 403-329-7367.