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3 Stream Waste Collection
Reminder: Weekly Green Cart Service (Compost / Organics) schedule changes seasonally
Green and Blue Carts are both collected every week on Wednesdays for all residences in Diamond Valley from April through October. From November - March, Green Bin collection slows to every two weeks, as there is decreased demand for the service outside of gardening season.
Please note that the cost of the 3-Stream Waste Collection Program remains constant throughout the year, as the cost of service for the entire program is divided equally between all months, and charged to residents bi-monthly on their utility bills.
The winter 2023 organics collection schedule is as follows:
| Turner Valley Community | Black Diamond Community |
| November 8 | November 15 |
| November 22 | November 29 |
| December 6 | December 13 |
| December 20 | December 27 |
| January 3 | January 10 |
| January 17 | January 24 |
| January 31 | February 7 |
| February 14 | February 21 |
| February 28 | March 6 |
| March 13 | March 20 |
| March 27 | April 3 |
- Why the 3-stream waste collection program?
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The majority of household waste is made up of recyclables and organics. Recycling and composting are important to reduce the impact on our environment and to extend the life of our landfill.
Green & blue carts have proven to be effective in diverting waste from the landfill. On a Town-wide basis, that would translate into thousands of tonnes of annual waste being turned into useful recycled materials & rich compost for farms instead of taking up valuable space in the landfill.
Waste diversion creates many advantages for the environment; that is why many municipalities in Alberta have or are implementing a green and blue cart program.
By using your new blue and green carts, you can:
• Reduce dependence on and extend the life of our landfill.
• Reduce greenhouse gases, helping our environment now and for future generations.
• Turn food and yard waste into useful compost.
- Will my garbage pick up day change?
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Garbage pickup remains on Tuesdays in the community of Turner Valley and Thursdays in Black Diamond.
- What day will organics and recycling be picked up?
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Organics and recycling are picked up on Wednesdays in both Black Diamond and Turner Valley communities.
In the winter months (November - March) organics collection is every two weeks (alternating communities).
- How often are my carts collected?
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Black garbage and blue recycling carts are collected weekly year-round.
Green organics carts are picked up:
- every week from April to the end of October,
- every two weeks from November to the end of March.
Some exceptions occur on statutory holidays.
- What time should I put my carts out for collection?
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Carts must be placed in the pickup location on the designated day by 7a.m.
- Why are the green carts collected bi-weekly from November to the end of March?
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The green cart is collected weekly from April to October when the weather is warmer and there is also yard waste included in the cart.
The green cart is collected bi-weekly from November to March throughout the winter season when it is colder outside and the carts will have little to no yard waste.
- Will the amount I pay for waste services change?
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Fees have increased to reflect the increased service level.
Fees per month:
Garbage - $10.40
Recycling - $6.05
Organics (Compost) - $6.10
Program Fee - $1.00
Total - $23.55 / month
Utilities are currently billed bi-monthly (Waste services are billed $47.10 / two months)
- Will I be charged for the new green and blue carts?
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The cost of green and blue carts is built into the utility billing structure and will not be charged separately.
- Can I opt out of the Town 3-stream Collection Program?
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There is no opportunity to opt out of the municipal waste collection program. These fees are automatically applied to the utility bills for all residences.
- How will this program affect the local curbside recycling business?
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Once recycling services begin, any private residential recycling services currently being provided will be addressed by your service provider. Commercial and apartment waste services will remain private.
For more information, please contact your curbside recycling service provider. - Where should I place my carts for pickup?
-
The route and cart placement for blue and green carts will be the same as for the black carts.
Garbage Collection Tuesdays (former Turner Valley) and Thursdays (former Black Diamond)
Collection reminders to residents are:
- Waste must be bagged and tied shut, no loose waste in the cart
- The set-out time for carts is 7:00 am
- Ensure the cart is placed properly for pick-up (see Collection Details page)
Recycling & Compost Collection Wednesdays (all residences)
Collection reminders to residents are:
- Recycling must be loose in the cart (shredded paper excepted)
- The set-out time for carts is 7:00 am
- Ensure the cart is placed properly for pick-up (see Collection Details page)
- For information on what goes in each cart, see the FAQs or the Green Bin or Blue Bin pages
Organics green cart collection is changing to seasonal bi-weekly pickup for the winter months of November – March starting November 2, 2022, as the colder season means carts will have little to no yard waste. The cost of the 3 Stream Waste Collection has been pro-rated for the year to account for the seasonal bi-weekly pickup.
Organics pickup dates for the next few months are November 2, 16, November 30, December 14, and December 28, 2022. Recycling and garbage pickup remain weekly.
Prevent your organics from freezing to the inside of your cart once colder weather arrives by discovering these helpful tips from Okotoks Waste Services.
If your garbage, recycling or compost does NOT get picked up
Please reach out to waste@okotoks.ca
Subject Line: Address (Your address)
Issue: Garbage/Recycling/Compost Not Picked Up
Body of email:
- Collection address
- Resident First and Last Name
- Resident Email Address
- Resident Phone Number
Residents with inquiries can contact the Town of Diamond Valley at (403) 933-4348.