Okotoks residents now have the option to return their blue recycling bins after the three month trial period is over for those who weren't originally signed up for the Town's Universal Recycling Program.

But after numerous Town meetings with the public wanting to return their bins or refused to use them aren't as keen as they were back in late September and early October.

Since the first day of allowing blue bin return, Waste Services Manager Paul Lyons says there hasn't been calls put in to have them removed.

"We've had some requests and yesterday when I looked at them we had less than one percent," he says.

Lyons believes that since the three month free trial more and more people are starting to understand why the Town implemented the black, blue and green cart program.

"What we're seeing and what my anticipation is that after using the blue bins over the last three months some residents are convinced of the convenience and value of having the blue bins."

Those who keep their bins will pay $7.25 a month for both the additional blue and green bins and if you return it will pay $5.25 in Environmental Service fees which are two dollars higher than in 2016 but those who keep the bins are not subjected to the fee.

"We've seen since the blue bin has been implemented a 50 percent increase in the material collected from the curb on those blue carts."

If you are interested in returning your blue cart, you can contact Waste Services or can bring your bin back to the Eco Centre yourself.

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