According to the Town of Slave Lake, while homeowners can place blue bags at the curb for recycling collection, many apartment residents must transport their own recyclables to public depots — a task that can be difficult or impossible for people with mobility challenges.
Alberta’s building standards recognize the importance of accessible housing by requiring barrier-free access in common areas of new apartment buildings and, in many government-funded developments, adaptable units for residents with mobility challenges. However, those accessibility goals can conflict with recycling systems that require residents to move materials off-site.
The challenge extends beyond people who use wheelchairs. Residents who do not drive, cannot afford a vehicle, seniors with limited mobility and others with physical limitations may all face barriers when transporting large amounts of recyclables to a depot.
While residents can hire taxis or private waste disposal services, those options come with recurring costs and may not be practical for large items such as cardboard. Access can also be limited during severe weather, including winter storms or tornadoes, when travelling to a recycling depot or arranging a pickup service may not be possible.
Some apartment buildings collect recyclable cans, likely because many beverage containers can be returned for a deposit refund. However, plastic recycling presents additional challenges. Many plastic containers are not eligible for deposits, and not all types of plastic are accepted for recycling. Plastic packaging also varies widely in size and shape, and bins can quickly become full. Food packaging that is not cleaned before disposal can also create odours and attract pests when stored in common areas.
If regulations do not require building managers to provide plastic recycling collection, there may be little incentive for them to take on the additional responsibility and costs associated with managing it.
Cardboard, however, presents a different challenge. Unlike food packaging, cardboard is generally less likely to create contamination issues, although improperly broken-down boxes can take up significant space and require additional handling by building staff.
Without convenient recycling options, some residents may ignore building rules and dispose of recyclables in garbage bins. While landlords may threaten fines or other penalties, enforcing those rules can be difficult. The enforceability of such penalties depends on whether they are supported by a valid lease agreement or other legal basis. Landlords generally cannot impose arbitrary fines without authority, and pursuing small recycling-related claims through Alberta’s civil claims process may not be practical.
The Town of Slave Lake’s waste bylaw includes multi-unit residential buildings in its waste and recycling fee structure, but it does not appear to require private apartment buildings to provide on-site recycling pickup. As a result, some apartment residents without access to building recycling collection must find their own way to transport recyclable materials to a depot.
A potential solution could be a bylaw change requiring recycling collection at multi-unit residential buildings, similar to the service provided to detached homes. Another option would be requiring building managers to provide recycling collection alongside regular waste services.
The issue is not simply one of convenience — it is an accessibility issue. Residents need a safe and practical way to dispose of household waste, and without accessible recycling options, some tenants may be left with few alternatives other than storing recyclables in their homes or placing them in garbage bins.
William Hetherington
Lakeside Leader
