By Jeff Labine

City makes switch to paper bags

May 25, 2017 | 2:00 PM

Come Canada Day, Prince Albert residents wanting to get rid of yard waste will need to buy paper bags.

The city is making the switch from plastic bags as of July 1 as a way to make the yard waste program more environmentally friendly. Although the environment is considered a major reason for the change, using paper bags will also save the city an estimated $50,000 per season according to city staff.

Mohammad Kraishan, the city’s operations manager, said most cities use paper bags as there’s a lot of cost associated with removing the plastic from the waste.

“In order for us to use the final compost, we will have to debag all of the collected yard waste and make sure there’s no plastic in the compost otherwise it would be considered contaminated compost,” he said. “Yard waste that is still in plastic bags won’t be picked up.”

Paper bags are available at retail stores including Canadian Tire. Kraishan said the city sent notices to retail managers to let them know about the change so they can stock up on paper bags.

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He said the program has been working well in other cities.

“I’m optimistic the change here will be a positive change,” he said. “We do rely on our residents of Prince Albert to help the city moving towards this environmentally friendly program and saved costs to the city.”

Those who want more information about the change can visit the city’s website or contact the public work’s department at 306-953-4900.

The city also wanted to remind residents that weekly garbage pickups start on June 1. Recycling will remain bi-weekly through the summer.

Collection calendars were delivered in December but are also available online at the city’s website.

Jeff.labine@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @labinereporter