Hey Canmore neighbors! Let's talk trash—literally! Living in the mountains is a dream, but managing our waste can sometimes feel like navigating a maze. Fear not, for today we're diving into the world of municipal garbage, recycling, and compost collection in our beloved town, along with some cool tidbits about the Large Item Pick-Up program and the Boulder Crescent Recycling Depot.

Sorting Out the Basics: Garbage, Recycling, and Compost Collection

Canmore takes its waste management seriously, and for good reason. We all want to keep our little slice of mountain paradise pristine - not to mention, a fed bear is a dead bear! The town operates a comprehensive system for garbage, recycling, and compost collection. It's all about separating the goods to ensure they get the proper treatment they deserve.

First and foremost, there is no such thing as curb-side pick-up.  Which means you never have to worry about forgetting to put your bins out the night before!  Instead, bear-proof garbage, recycling (paper, glass & metals) and compost bins are strategically placed throughout residential neighbourhoods and you just walk (or drive ;)) your full bags or bins whenever they fill up. This ensures both convenience for residents and mitigates the risk of attracting wildlife where it’s not safe for them to be.  There is a larger recycling center between SaveOn Foods & Canadian Tire too - here you will also find donation bins for lightly used clothing and household items.  If those daily Amazon deliveries are adding up and you’re going to overload your neighbourhood bin, please consider driving it down to the larger bins which are also emptied more frequently #neighbourly.

Large Item Pick-Up Program: Out with the Old!

Got an old couch that's seen better days or a mattress that's begging to be replaced? Say hello to Canmore's Large Item Pick-Up program! It's the perfect solution for those bulky items that just won't fit in your regular bins. You simply need to fill out the form on their website to schedule the large item pick up service. It's like a mini furniture rescue mission right at your doorstep! And better yet, it’s FREE once a year! (Learn from my mistake: Mattress collection is only on Mondays so book early for mattress pick up).

Boulder Crescent Recycling Depot: Where Recycling Gets Serious

Now, let's talk about the hidden gem of waste management in Canmore—the Boulder Crescent Recycling Depot. This place is a recycling enthusiast's paradise!  Need to drop off more than your standard recyclables?  They accept items like electronics, household hazardous waste, bike tires, car batteries, used oil & antifreeze and more. It's a one-stop-shop for all things recycling!

Pro tip: Before heading over, check out the guidelines on the town's website to ensure you're bringing in the right stuff. Let's keep it green, folks!

Canmore Bottle Depot: A Little Extra Change in Your Pocket

Just up the road from the Boulder Crescent Recycling Centre is the Canmore Bottle Depot.   In Alberta, eligible drink containers take a refundable deposit whenever you purchase one and you need to take the empty bottles/cans to a bottle depot to get the deposit back.  The Canmore Bottle Depot ensures a seamless process for residents eager to redeem their refundables.  So, the next time you finish that refreshing drink and they start piling up, check out the Canmore Bottle Depot to make your contribution to a greener community while enjoying the added perk of a refundable return. Cheers to recycling made easy!  Open 9:30am-4:30am Tuesday-Saturday.

So, there you have it, Canmore pals! Managing our waste doesn't have to be a headache, even if we do it a little different than you’re probably used to to keep our wildlife safe. With the town's efficient garbage, recycling, and compost collection system, coupled with the awesome initiatives like the Large Item Pick-Up program and the Boulder Crescent Recycling Depot, we can all do our part in keeping our mountain haven clean and green. Happy recycling!