We, the undersigned residents of Airdrie, Alberta, would like to express our concern regarding the recently implemented 120-litre black garbage cart program.

The current garbage cart size is not adequate for many households, especially for families with multiple residents. Larger households are unable to fit normal weekly waste into the provided cart without being forced to purchase additional garbage tags, which results in extra costs for residents.

At the same time, waste and utility fees in Airdrie are higher than in neighbouring municipalities such as Calgary, where residents have access to larger garbage cart options and more flexible waste programs. It does not seem reasonable for residents to pay higher fees while receiving less garbage capacity.

The City of Airdrie is encouraging higher-density living, secondary suites, and more residents per household, yet the current garbage cart capacity does not reflect these realities. The policy places an unfair burden on families who produce normal household waste but are limited by the reduced cart size.

We respectfully request that the City of Airdrie review the current waste program and consider the following changes:

Provide the option of a larger garbage cart for households that require additional capacity
Review the cost of garbage tags and waste utility fees to ensure fairness compared to neighbouring municipalities
Consider household size when determining garbage capacity limits
Re-evaluate the current waste policy to ensure it reflects the needs of Airdrie residents
We believe the current program creates unnecessary financial pressure on families and should be reconsidered in the interest of fairness, practicality, and equal treatment of residents.

Signed,
Residents of Airdrie, Alberta