Cochrane Council heard more details on curbside organic collection that will begin in April 2017.

On September 26, administration shared more details on what this program will look like and the impact to Cochrane residents.

An in depth presentation by Fabrizio Bertolo, Senior Manager of Waste and Recycling, went through cart size, collection schedule, materials accepted in the program, the benefits and challenges, as well as the financial impact.

Bertolo is pleased how everything is coming together.

"We are very excited about this program, it is coming (together) very well. Everybody is very happy, the council is happy about the program we are implementing and we are very proud to be able to implement the program with no extra cost for residents and we are not changing the other programs for 2017. We think the program is only going to be a benefit to the residents."

After a sampling of homes from all residential areas in Cochrane, Bertolo shared that 68% of Cochrane garbage currently being sent to the landfill is organics.

"It means in 2015/16 we sent 2600 tonnes of organics to the landfill. What happens to the landfill is that organics doesn't break down when there is no oxygen and that releases methane which is a greenhouse gas it is 23 times more dangerous than carbon dioxide in the atmosphere."

Besides the environmental benefits, curbside pick up is easy, less time consuming, and will not increase fees.

"We are going to be able to provide this great service to the residents without increasing the fees which was a big concern for residents."

A compost bag from the compost facility will be provided to residents so they can use the compost in their own backyards and gardens and see how the program works to close the loop.

Single family and duplex homes will receive a 240L bin while 120L carts will be used for townhouses. No changes will be made to pick up of garbage and recycling, while organics will be picked up the next day weekly in summer and bi weekly in winter.

Education will be top of mind when it comes to implementation including what the program accepts or doesn't accept.

"We are going to have a huge communication and educational program, we are going to be everywhere starting in October. People need to change their habits, and it's not going to be easy for a lot of them; so we need to try to make it easier, why they are doing that, and why it is so important."