City of Lloydminster officials are reminding residents on the correct use of the green bin as they face over $100,000 in costs due to contamination of the organic landfill.
Over the last six months, the city and its contractor GFL Environmental Inc. have forked out $105,000 in operational costs to clean up the improper use of curbside organics collection.
The cost burden affects the city in two ways as “the expense of landfilling a tonne of contaminated organics is an expense that could be avoided through correct disposal methods,” state officials. Also, the city has to divert over 500 tonnes of contaminated organics as “organics that end up in landfills contribute to methane emissions.”
Listed on the city’s website are the items which can be placed in the green bin. It includes:
- Bones
- Branches
- Bread
- Cat litter
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Cold ashes
- Cooking oils
- Corks
- Dairy products
- Dryer lint
- Egg shells
- Fish
- Grass clippings
- Grease
- Leaves
- Meat
- Pet waste (bagged, small amounts)
- Pizza boxes
- Popcorn bags
- Produce
- Rice
- Sawdust
- Shells
- Shredded paper
- Soap
- Soiled paper and cardboard
- Tea bags
- Tissue
- Wax paper
- Wood (small pieces)
Details for the grey bin and blue bag items are also listed on the city’s website.
The city notes some of the non-permitted item which end up at the organic landfill include engine oil filters, animal carcasses, metal, plastic bottles, paint cans, furniture, electronics, Styrofoam, clothing, Aerosol cans, car batteries, small engines, vinyl tarps, 3D printers, among other items.