ST. PAUL - A Take it or Leave it program focused on reducing the amount of dry waste going into area landfills is making its way to the St. Paul Transfer Station.
The Town of St. Paul recently approved a motion to proceed with the project at its Sept. 28 council meeting, but residents within the County of St. Paul likely already know what the program is all about.
Over the past three years, the County of St. Paul has been implementing a Take it or Leave it program at its six transfer stations. In 2018, Ashmont and Mallaig were the first communities to benefit from the program. A 16x20' cattle shed, with some minor improvements made to the inside, houses a variety of items ranging from games, to dishes and household items in good working order, explains Tim Mahdiuk, director of Community Services.
The following year, the program was expanded to the Vincent and St. Edouard transfer stations. And this year, Whitney and St. Lina transfer stations received sheds for the recycling program.
"It's been quite successful," says Mahdiuk. He notes there has been a great response from residents in both leaving and taking items.
He says the idea for the program came from another neighbouring municipality - Lac La Biche County. In Lac La Biche, the program is known as Reuse Centres. Each of the the Lac La Biche County landfills and transfer stations has a Reuse Centre, where people can drop off and pick up gently used items, free of charge.
Of course, there is a list of items that cannot be accepted, says Mahdiuk, clothing being one of them. Other items are things such as protective gear - for example helmets or hockey equipment cannot be accepted. Landfill managers do monitor the items going into the area.
A Take it or Leave it policy was approved during the Sept. 28 Town of St. Paul council meeting. The policy lists a number of items that cannot be left in the building.
The policy says: "No carpets, linoleum, clothing, shoes, bedding, food items, mattresses, box springs, baby walkers, cribs, carseats, refrigerators, freezers, stoves, dishwashers, microwaves, washing machines, clothes dryers, hot water tanks, humidifiers, de-humidifier, televisions, any similar appliances, or any type of Personal Protective Equipment including but not limited to helmets, hard hats, safety boots, masks, or life jackets."
"Items must be clean, in reasonably good condition, an may require minor repairs," adds the policy.
Mayor Maureen Miller said there have been a number of people asking for the program. During discussions on Sept. 28, it was noted that the space was almost ready to be opened to the public. By early last week, the Take it or Leave it area was ready to be used. The town's transfer station is 2.4 km northeast of St. Paul on TWP 582 and RR 93A.
Both the county and town remove the items from the Take it or Leave it areas after approximately 30 days.
Mahdiuk says those who visit a county-run transfer station to leave items must first stop at the transfer station office and take direction from the transfer station attendant, who will then direct them where to bring the items.
Pilot Project
A province-wide recycling project also started on Sept. 1, which encourages the recycling of pretty much anything that has an electrical cord attached to it.
Since 2004, Albertans have been able to recycle TVs and computer equipment. As of Sept. 1, that list has expanded under a two-year pilot project. Small appliances, audio/visual devices, telecom devices, power and air tools, and games, toy and musical instruments are all included under the expanded list. The program is run under the Alberta Recyling Management Authority.
Signage is up at county-run transfer stations to let people know about the recycling initiative.
