10.6 Solid Waste Management

Principle

Minimize solid waste generation and manage solid waste in an efficient and environmentally responsible manner.

Solid waste management is everyone’s responsibility—government, businesses, industries, and individuals. Effective management, collection, and disposal of waste contributes to a clean and healthy environment. Minimizing waste generation, by reducing, reusing, and recycling is integral to the success of St. Albert’s solid waste management program. While recycling has long been a cornerstone of this program, changes to global markets offer the possibility of alternative practices and innovative solutions. The following policies reduce the amount of solid waste produced in the city and ensure its efficient management.

Policies

10.6.1.

Minimize the production of solid waste by:

Promoting city-wide programs that encourage residents and businesses to reduce, reuse, and recycle solid waste products;
Providing opportunities for safe and convenient disposal of household hazardous wastes; and
Encouraging the use of landscaping practices that minimize yard and garden waste.

10.6.2.

Encourage three-stream waste separation in all buildings to divert more waste away from landfills.

What is three-stream waste separation?

Three stream waste separation reduces the amount of waste that goes to the landfill by separating waste into recycling, organics, and garbage streams. While most detached and semi-detached homes have curbside collection for the Brown Garbage Cart, Green Organics Cart or Blue Recycling Bag in St. Albert, multiunit residential developments are separate from this system, presenting future opportunities for change.

10.6.3.

Encourage new development and redevelopment to follow sustainable planning and building practices by utilizing best practices in building construction and demolition, with emphasis on:

Reused, salvaged, and refurbished products
Recycled content
Design practices that reduce construction waste
Adaptive reuse of existing buildings, where applicable

10.6.4.

Maximize efficiency in the solid waste management process by exploring waste-to-energy models and enabling the harvest of alternative energy in new facilities where feasible.