8 Calgary community recycling depots to shut down this month

Calgary is shutting down eight community recycling depots beginning later this month.

The closures, which were originally planned to begin in 2020, were accelerated to contribute to savings for the city budget, according to a letter sent out to residents from the Scarboro Community Association.

The closuresprimarily impact inner-city neighbourhoods.

Bins will be removed from the following locations as of Oct. 21:

• Bowness(7937 43rd Avenue N.W.)
• Bridgeland (7 11th Street N.E.)
• Connaught (813 11th Avenue S.W.)
• Scarboro (15th Avenue and 16th Street S.W.)
• Spruce Cliff (3397 block of Spruce Drive S.W.)
• Deer Valley (1221 Canyon Meadows Drive S.E.)
• Ogden (7740 18th Street S.E.)

Ward 14 Coun. Peter Demong said some of the sites were becoming unnecessary.

"They were brought out long before the blue bins came out for residentials now that every single homeowner has a facility to actually use for recycling, meaning their blue bin, every multi-residential is mandated they must have a recycle bin, why exactly do you have the community recycle depots?" Demong said.

He said he believes the closuresare being completedin advance of the November budget, and have to do with the city's $60 million in cuts.

The closures leave Calgarianswith 18 alternative locations to drop off their recycling. A full list is available on the city's website.