Okotoks Town Council chambers were filled to capacity Tuesday night as residents voiced their frustrations towards the Town's new recycling program set to be rolled out Oct. 1.

The Universal Cart Program will see residents have a black garbage, blue recycling and a new green, organics bin that will be issued to them as part of the Town's waste pick-up schedule.

A few residents in attendance came to the meeting to stand up for the program.

Resident Gary Wieb was in attendance at the information session and says those against the program need to look at the big picture for the Town's future.

"I think the focus is on the wrong thing and that's the cost of the program," he says. "I know there's a lot of seniors that are on a fixed income but they have to think of the future, they have to think beyond the money, they have to start thinking about the environment, they have to start thinking about their kids, grand-kids or great grand-kids and what we're turning over to."

Those that are subscribed to the blue bin recycling program will be issued a green bin at no extra charge, while those not subscribed to the program will be receiving both blue and green bins on Oct. 1 that will cost an additional $7.25 a month.

Weib says he may not create as much waste as other residents, but the bins, no matter the colour, save time in the sorting process.

"It's a program that's been a long time coming and I've been waiting for and excited for it to be happening. My wife and I, we just live together, we don't have any kids at home and our garbage isn't much either, in fact we have less than one bag a week now."

Many of the 50 plus residents in attendance didn't hold back in voicing their anger and frustrations with the program, stating they understand the importance of recycling but feel they should not be forced into paying for a program they have no use for.

Those opposing the program spoke out, using the new Eco-Centre in town as reference as a way they are disposing of recyclables and organic waste.

Brian Erickson is one of those residents not looking forward to Oct. 1.

"I think the program is a good program, but not to be made mandatory to every resident to the Town of Okotoks," he says. "Because we each do our own recycling, we take care of our garbage in a variety of ways and for it to be mandated to everybody isn't right and isn't fair."

That being said, Erickson says the whole process leading up to the launch of the program wasn't thoroughly communicated by the Town and they never had a true say on the matter.

"It's the matter that people had concerns that there was always a quick answer for the concerns. I'm not sure if we've ever been told that this would be taken back to council and taken under any consideration at all."

The program went through its first reading at the Aug. 22 council meeting. Second and third reading is set for the Sept. 12. First reading passed by a vote of 5-1.

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