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Trash gets sorted in Langley Township

Public spaces waste management strategy piloted in Walnut Grove
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New sorted bins for public waste begins in Langley Township.

Those who have been out and about in Walnut Grove over the past few weeks may have seen – and used – new waste receptacles that have been installed throughout the community.

The colourful new rectangular bins are part of a neighbourhood pilot project being conducted by the Township of Langley to encourage the public to put garbage, recycling, dog waste, and compost in their proper place, as part of the municipality’s Litter and Illegal Waste Management Strategy.

The Strategy was approved by Township Council in 2015, and is using a three-pillared approach of education, enforcement, and infrastructure to help keep the community clean, safe, and beautiful.

“All three pillars are vital,” said Township Sustainability Programs Specialist Tess Rouse, “but with the projected growth expected for the Township and the increased use of public spaces, infrastructure is critical. To address this, we have launched a new Public Spaces Waste Management Strategy to look at how to better handle our waste and provide recycling opportunities to public users in parks, trails, and on roadways.”

Through the Public Spaces Waste Management pilot project, new receptacles have been placed around Walnut Grove Park, McClughan Park, Dorothy Peacock Park, Walnut Grove Drive, and on 88 Avenue from 202B Street to 216 Street. The pilot will run until September to determine how effective the new public-use bins are.

The bin model used in the pilot was chosen because it is easy for people to use and keep collection streams sorted, it looks nice, and can be customized, Rouse said. During the pilot, Township staff will discuss the new receptacles with local business associations and conduct on-site surveys with the public as they use them.

The Township will also be monitoring the new program to see how effectively it deals with dog waste collection. Pet waste is prohibited from Metro Vancouver’s landfills as it is a major contributor to greenhouse gases, although small amounts are acceptable in household garbage, providing it is double-bagged. Dog waste collected through the Township’s new Public Spaces Waste Management pilot project will be kept out of the landfill and instead be processed at a wastewater treatment facility with other sewage.

If it the pilot project is a success, the program will be considered for implementation throughout the Township of Langley.