ATHABASCA – Southern Athabasca County residents may find their dump runs taking an extra 15 or 20 minutes, particularly if they regularly haul leaves and branches to local transfer sites.
Athabasca County councillors gave the Athabasca Regional Waste Management Services Commission approval to go ahead with some planned cost-saving measures that would limit the sites that accept large appliances, mattresses and box springs, and wood piles for burning to just Athabasca, Boyle, and the regional landfill.
“We’re looking at trying to cut the costs of transportation for hauling the waste down,” said Coun. Rob Minns, who sits on the Waste Commission as a county representative. “We’re trying to save money.”
In a letter dated May 10 to the county and other municipalities, the commission outlined its proposal to cut down on transportation costs at the smaller regional transfer sites that aren’t equipped to handle larger appliances.
“It should be noted that these are not everyday items and that users only occasionally or rarely need to dispose of them,” read the letter.
Transfer sites in Wandering River and Grassland will be exempt from the policy — Minns said the commission agreed it would impose too big a hassle on the residents — but sites closer to Athabasca, Boyle and the regional landfill will be impacted.
“Rural transfer sites were built to provide local residents with a place for their daily and weekly waste and recyclables,” said the commission. “They were not built for businesses or contractors or built to accept dump trailers.”
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In November 2023, Athabasca County had passed a motion to strongly oppose the closure of any transfer sites within its boundaries after the idea had been floated as a cost saving measure. The municipality funded $753,000 of the commissions $1,256,000 budget — just over 60 per cent — and councillors weren’t in favour of cutting services to their ratepayers.
“I don’t think we’re going to lessen services with this (approach), especially for Wandering River and Grassland,” said Minns. “Let’s call a spade a spade. How many fridges does a person go through in a year?”
Residents who use the Perryvale, Colinton, or Whispering Hills transfer sites will need to drive a little further to the Class II landfill at Athabasca or the Class III landfill in Boyle, or the regional landfill, which left some councillors with concerns.
“If it becomes too difficult for people, people tend to just dump,” said Coun. Tracy Holland. “I don’t like lowering a service in a situation where it has the potential to become a bigger issue.”
By centralizing collection points for items that are heavier (i.e. appliances) or bulky to transport (i.e. mattresses, wood waste and ashes) the commission is hoping to reduce money spent on driving materials from one site to another. Reeve Brian Hall said the change shouldn’t pose too much of a burden for residents since the items would already “be on the rubber.”
“To move it an extra 15 minutes isn’t an unreasonable request,” said the reeve, who also sits on the commission. “There’s environmental issues as well, when you have thieves coming in to steal the copper it causes the freon to leak out of some appliances.”
Athabasca County is also recommending the waste commission create a clear communication plan to tell residents what is happening and why.
CAO Bob Beck was fully behind council’s ask for a clear communication policy, wryly adding that when people get upset about these types of issues the county is their first call.
“It would be great if (ratepayers) understood if you aren’t happy with the commissions, call someone else and not the county office,” said Beck, eliciting a chuckle from some councillors. “This is not us — that’s why we’re recommending a communication strategy of some sort. If you’re unhappy, phone this number, not our number.”
