Altona CAN! Compost and Recycle

Did you know that on average, 80% of household waste in Canada could have been either

composted or recycled? What a waste - literally.

The good news is that Altona can be applauded for doing well above the national average with

58% of household waste ending up in the landfill. In addition, over half of residents report

having only 1 garbage bag a week. Compared to 2019, waste sent to landfill is down 3% so

far in 2020. All indications are that Altona is headed in the right direction in reducing waste.

Since Altona launched its year-round compost program, many people have reported how

amazed they are to find what little waste they have left after they started composting. Your

green bins are intended to collect organic waste from both inside and outside your house, so

set up a collection system in your home and witness how little of your garbage is actually

garbage. From banana peels to paper towels - it’s compostable. Composting turns organic waste

into valuable fertilizer for our yards and gardens.

While compost pick up is a relatively new service, Altona’s recycling program has been running

successfully for decades. Keep up the good work Altona in separating all recyclables into your

blue bins, preventing precious resources from ending up in the landfill and providing Blue Sky

with a valuable revenue stream. There are also 24/7 drop off bins outside their new location

across from Bunge where they also collect electronic waste.

For more information about what goes into your blue and green bins, pick-up schedules and

other details, visit the Town of Altona website or their Facebook page.

If we work together, we can greatly reduce our waste-to-landfill. It’s the right thing to do - to

protect the environment, to keep landfill costs down, and to keep valuable materials and

resources flowing in a sustainable circle.

Written for ACAN by Connie Heppner-Mueller

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