Even though, city council is busily shuffling the council deck, Moose Jaw’s engineering department continues to tackle the recycling issue.
The temporary municipal recycling site located at the edge of Sobey’s parking lot has had a fence erected by the city to help deter disorganization, and Mahabub Zaman, city manager of engineering services told the Times-Herald more initiatives will be added.
“Currently, there are signs posted to let the public know which bins to use, but we are going to add more in the near future to make it even more clear for the public,” Zaman said.
The city is still looking and assessing an appropriate permanent site for municipal recycling, however, the new incoming city council will have to assess a new report submitted by the engineering department.
“We’re still looking for an appropriate site... we’re hoping to present an updated report to the new council within two to three months,” Zaman said.
The first report submitted in September, recommended three options to be considered - High Street West on the lot located west of the City Complex, the Hillcrest parking lot and the southwest corner of Sobey’s parking lot.
The Sobey’s site is only a temporary solution, until a long term site may be approved.
“We want to be as cost effective for the recycling site when it is finalized,” Zaman said.
Zaman also added environmental needs and future infrastructure also need to be addressed with a permanent site.
Carolyn Bowler, an engineering technologist with the city agreed with Zaman’s comment. “The site has to be able to fit into the future of Moose Jaw’s needs,” Bowler said.
Bowler said three public meetings are planned for the end of November and the beginning of December to get comments and concerns from the community towards a future residential recycling program, “Once we have some volunteers and a third meeting place decided on, we will let the public know which dates they will take place.”
Bowler said, Sunningdale and Empire School will be used for two of the upcoming meetings, with the third meeting taking place at a downtown location.
Bowler also wishes the public to know, the SouthHill recycling site is now able to accept plastic milk containers, along with glass, tin and cardboard.
