Garbage and recycling was not picked up from about 600 homes in Okotoks yesterday, when slippery roads prompted the Town to suspend waste collection.
On Jan. 2, the Town of Okotoks said icy conditions were posing problems for garbage and recycling collection.
“We determined that it was safest, at the time, for us to suspend service,” said waste services manager Paul Lyons.
The affected homes, in Zones 1 and 2 in the north part of town, had their collection moved to Jan. 3, with extra resources brought in to help get caught up. No further issues have been reported, Lyons said.
“We have almost completed those areas for both garbage and recycling,” he said.
Depending on conditions, more delays are possible, but the Town’s transportation department is working to lay down sand before waste services go into an icy area.
“That does mean that the collection service might be a little bit slower, especially on the recycling and organics side,” Lyons said, adding that residents can put their carts out for their usual pick-up day.
“We continue to monitor what is happening, and we'll continue to try and adapt to the circumstances that currently exist. We're conscious of the fact that we're just coming out of the holiday season, where we tend to have a lot a lot more recycling at the curb, so we want to ensure that the service is being provided not just for garbage, but for all the services that we provide.”
Further updates on waste collection will be posted on the Town’s website if needed, he said.
The Town said conditions are still slick on roads and pathways following rainfall this week, and that sand and salt application is being assessed and prioritized.
Residents can call 403-938-8952 or email [email protected] to report icy patches so that staff can review, assess and deploy resources accordingly.
Free sand is available for residents at the Eco Centre or at either fire hall, but residents need to bring their own container.
