The recycling program is delivered by the City of Lethbridge and is the 'default’ option. It will automatically be implemented unless an exemption is applied for and approved by the City.
Apartments and Condos Services
The City of Lethbridge is committed to ensuring recycling and organics collection services are provided to apartments and condominiums. All apartments and condos in the city have access to a recycling program and an organics program to divert waste away from our landfill. The City of Lethbridge will collect and deliver recyclables to the sorting facility and organics to the compost facility.
Organics Collection
The City offers organics collection services for all Apartments and Condos. Each apartment/condo unit is responsible for properly gathering materials accepted in the organics program and getting them to the designated collection area. Each building decides how and where to store the materials.
Due to the complexity and unique circumstances of each property, the City of Lethbridge works with managers/owners to determine what works best for their residents. If you are unsure where your organics collection services are located, please contact your property manager and/or condo board. Any questions about the program overall can be directed to Lethbridge 311.
Recycling Collection for Small Apartments and Condos (with 45 or less units)
The City offers recycling collection services for Small Apartments and Condos. Each apartment/condo unit is responsible for properly gathering materials accepted in the residential recycling program and getting them to the designated collection area. Each building decides how and where to store the materials.
Due to the complexity and unique circumstances of each property, the City of Lethbridge works with managers/owners to determine what works best for their residents. If you live in an apartment complex, speak with your building manager on how waste is collected at your site. Any questions about the program overall can be directed to Lethbridge 311.
Recycling Collection for Large Apartments and Condos (with more than 45 units)
City Council made a decision to offer Large Apartments and Condos an option to apply for an exemption to the City recycling program. These complexes can choose to either receive the City of Lethbridge recycling service or arrange a recycling option through a private company.
Option A: Receive the City of Lethbridge multi-unit dwelling recycling program.
Option B: Request an exemption and arrange a private recycling option.
Large complexes can choose to receive recycling services from a private company and apply for an exemption to the City of Lethbridge recycling and organics service.
As per the Waste Bylaw 6146, all housing units will still be required to pay a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) charge of $0.059 per day.
What are the requirements for an exemption?
As per Waste Bylaw 6146 (Section 36.1 and 36.2), exemptions will only be granted on an annual basis if your apartment complex can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of City staff, that it:
- has an acceptable plan for recycling Recyclable Materials;
- will use a private collections service provider;
- will recycle the same Recyclable Materials that are included in the City’s recycling program;
- will provide Adequate Containers for collection of Recyclable Materials;
- can specify the destination of the Recyclable Materials;
- can specify the tonnage of Recyclable Materials collected;
- can provide evidence of training to the residents of the complex; and,
- can provide any other information on the recycling plan required by the Engineer.
Applying for an exemption
If you are the property manager/designated representative for a large condo/apartment, call 311 to begin the application process.
Costs
- The organics collection rate for apartments and condos is $4.05/month/unit ($0.135/day/unit).
- As of April 1, 2025, blue cart collection fees have been removed from residential waste utility rates due to the new Government of Alberta's Extended Producer Responsibility Regulation. Under this regulation, the cost of collecting and processing recyclable materials is covered by the producers of those materials and not residents.
The Waste and Environment department is not a profit centre but rather operates on a cost recovery basis. The fees go towards the collection of materials, facility operations (utilities, staffing, and maintenance), maintenance of collection trucks, and resources for public education and outreach.
Contact Us
City Hall
910 4 Avenue South
Lethbridge, AB T1J 0P6
Phone: 311
or 403-320-3111 (if outside of Lethbridge)