Earth Day highlights community waste diversion efforts

The City of Lethbridge is recognizing the community’s role in the continued success of the curbside organics program as it wraps up its third year.  

Earth Day also brings heaps of compost to giveaway, weekend activities and the return of the household battery collection program. 

Three years of green carts 

“Earth Day is the perfect time to recognize our community for the role they play in diverting waste from our landfill,” says Mandi Parker, General Manager, Waste & Environment. “Today marks three years of curbside organics and compost giveaways. We want to thank residents for keeping up their curbside enthusiasm and incorporating it into their daily routines.”

In its third year, Waste & Environment staff saw a 10.23 per cent increase in collected residential material through the curbside organics program. 

“Curbside organics gained a ton of momentum this past year,” says James Nicholls, Collections Manager. “Our program continues to see growth in year-over-year tonnage, which is a direct result of residents doing their part and using their household green carts for food and yard waste." 

Other positive stats include: 

• Approximately 20 million kilograms of organic waste have been diverted from the landfill since the program’s inception – an average of 585 kilograms per single-unit household. 
• More than 62,500 kilograms of free compost given away to residents at local events. 
• Roughly 42,000 kilograms of compost have been used in City parks, gardens, cemeteries and greenspaces. 

These promising numbers contribute toward meeting the City’s waste diversion target, set by City Council, which aims to divert 50 per cent of waste generated in Lethbridge by 2030.  

“We’re extremely pleased with our community’s adoption of the program and excited to keep it trending upward.” says Nicholls. “Our focus this year is making sure food scraps don’t go in the garbage. Things like banana peels, chicken bones and moldy bread are ideal green cart candidates and can be processed into nutrient-rich compost.” 

Free compost, activities during Earth Day at Legacy Park 

The Waste & Environment department is giving away free compost as part of Earth Day at Legacy Park on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free to attend. 

“We’re excited to collaborate with other City teams and local partners to celebrate Earth Day with the community,” says Nicholls. “It’s going to be a fun-filled day of activities and environmental education. Residents can bring their own receptacle and get some free compost while supplies last." 

Compost is also available to purchase year-round from the Waste & Recycling Centre. 

Weekly green cart collection resumes in May 

As temperatures heat up, green carts will be collected every week starting the week of May 4. 

“Collecting weekly during the warmer seasons helps residents divert more yard waste, as people do more gardening and yard work,” says Nicholls. “It also helps reduce the odour or ‘yuck’ factor that sometimes comes along with organic waste.” 

Residents can download the free Lethbridge Loop app to their smartphones to get reminders about their curbside cart collection days.  

Battery collection charges up in November 

In partnership with Call2Recycle Canada, the Curbside Battery Collection Program is set to make its return this winter. 

“We’re grateful for everyone who stepped up and participated in last year’s pilot program,” says Nicholls. “Residents helped divert more than 3,000 kilograms of batteries from our landfill, which is a huge win for our community and the environment. We’re hoping to build on that progress in 2026.” 

To learn about this year’s program and how to participate, visit lethbridge.ca/BatteryCollection.  

For Public Inquiries: 
Call or chat with 311 | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.