| The launch of a $14 million automated garbage | | | | has not been as progressive as other areas in the |
| collection system would help advance Calgary's | | | | area of recycling. The city does not seem likely to |
| system of refuse management by an increment. This | | | | fulfill its goal of diverting some 80 percent of its |
| fall, the city will begin to distribute black garbage | | | | garbage by 2020. Other cities such as Edmonton are |
| receptacles to its populace. The bins will be | | | | much closer to achieving this objective. |
| comparable to the blue bins that have been used for | | | | Dave Griffiths, Calgary's director of waste and |
| recycling purposes for years. Consumers have | | | | recycling, commented that the new system will save |
| become accustomed to rolling the recycling bins to | | | | the city some $2 million annually. Personnel costs |
| curbs or alleys. In turn, collection trucks using | | | | would be reduced, as the new trucks would be |
| automatic levers pick up and collect the recyclable | | | | manned by only one person. Fewer people involved in |
| goods, resulting in a quick, efficient transaction. | | | | the collection of refuse would result in fewer |
| Some 300,000 residences in Calgary will be able to | | | | worker's compensation claims for on-the-job injuries. |
| take advantage of the new black bins, but there | | | | The new program is timely, as the current fleet of |
| would still be a problem with the collection of waste | | | | garbage trucks is aging and needs replacement by |
| from organizations that divert refuse, as well as the | | | | 2012. Automated trucks would be able to |
| collection of garbage from apartment or condominium | | | | accommodate the major categories of household |
| buildings. | | | | garbage, which include trash, organic waste and |
| Because of its abundance of space for landfill, Calgary | | | | recyclable goods. |