Airdrie mother-of-three Valerie S. remembers when bag limits were implemented in 1992; it was a time when she had kids in diapers and had to resort to putting her garbage in dumpsters.
“I know it doesn’t sound like much but with three kids in diapers, as a single mom I couldn’t afford the extra $2 a bag. I had to find other means,” she said, adding dumpsters were locked up to combat other citizens resorting to the same.
“But besides having young children, I think it’s doable. I think it encourages people to recycle more.”
Ward 12 Ald. Ric McIver is putting forward a notice of motion to city council to do just that; implement a fee for extra garbage bags, something he said should be done since Calgary now has curbside recycling.
“I think it’s as simple as that and no excuses not to. It’ll give Calgarians a chance to use those expensive recycling bins they were forced to have,” McIver said.
When asked about potentials problems such as larger families and the issues they faced in Airdrie, McIver said the city could allow larger families to apply for extra bag limits.
“If you look for problem, you will find problems but if you look for solutions, you will find solutions and that’s what I want to do,” McIver added.
Airdrie’s environment co-ordinator, Angela Brightwell, said the city has a 24 per cent waste diversion rate, much higher than the provincial average, since they implemented bag limits.
