As spring cleaning efforts are underway and with WeyClean week slated for May 5th to 9th, the landfill in Weyburn is being utilized for disposing of waste inside and outside the home.
Communications Coordinator for the City of Weyburn, Paige Tenbult explains how waste is sorted at the landfill, divided into three core areas.
“We've got the compost pile, which is for yard waste like grass and leaves, the wood pile for clean, untreated wood, and the garbage pile for everything else. So properly sorting that helps us reduce the amount of waste that's going into the landfill and just keeps everything running pretty smoothly there.”
If larger items like tires or oil drums are being dropped off, it's encouraged to call the landfill staff ahead of time. This will allow them to prepare to accept the items and follow proper procedures. Contact information can be found on the City of Weyburn website.
There are some items, however, that aren’t accepted at all.
“Items like appliances, paint, paint cans, it often catches people off guard. We don't accept those at the landfill, but there are other places in the community where they can be taken, and we have listed a ton of those alternative drop-off locations on the City of Weyburn's website.”
Tenbult stresses that all loads en route to the landfill must be tarped. This is required by the City of Weyburn bylaw.
"It also helps prevent that debris from blowing off onto the street, and it's just a simple way to make a big difference in keeping our streets and ditches clean."
A big part of Weyburn's waste responsibility includes recycling, which is implemented in their curbside recycling program. It also plays a key role in the longevity of the landfill when more items are diverted into recycling.
“Residents can help divert materials like plastic, cardboard, and tin away from our landfill to extend the life of our landfill and just reduces pressure on the landfill and helps protect the environment in the long run.”
While yard waste can be brought to the landfill compost pile, it is an option to dispose of it in garbage carts, however, all waste in the carts must be bagged. Tenbult encourages yard waste be brought to the landfill as it is free of charge.
“If you're doing wood, if you're cutting big branches or cutting down a tree, there is a small fee at the landfill for the wood pile, but that compost pile is free, and we just encourage people to try to not fill up their garbage bin with that and just go take it to the landfill.”
There is work currently underway at the landfill related to a major project, a new phase expected to extend the life of the landfill.