OLDS — A branch dump and a new grass clippings area opens for the season Thursday, May 1 at the Town of Olds Operations Centre on 70th Avenue on the west end of town.
Both will be available to Olds residents only.
The branch dump will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
It will remain open, weather permitting, from May 1 until the end of October
Community feedback led the municipality to pilot a residential grass clippings project to run with the branch dump -- in May and October only.
The grass clippings area will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 pm.
If very rainy weather occurs, both or either facility may close temporarily for safety reasons.
What the branch dump will accept
The following items are allowed at the branch dump:
• Small trees, shrubs, and branches that have a caliper of six inches or less—about the diameter of a toilet paper roll or smaller.
• Leaves should be dry and not mixed with other materials.
• A minimal amount of grass or other organic matter is acceptable in the leaf pile, however, the intent is to burn the pile at the end of the season, so officials want to minimize materials which will cause issues during that process – that includes large volumes of wet organic and/or inorganic materials.
What the grass area will accept:
• Grass clippings
• Paper bags of grass clippings.
To ensure smooth operations, residents are encouraged to follow the program’s guidelines.
The areas are designed to accommodate up to a half ton of yard waste per trip.
Multiple trips are allowed if needed, but commercial loads will not be accepted.
A Town of Olds news release says the branch dump and grass clippings area provide “a practical way to manage yard waste.
“This service helps keep our town clean, reduces fire hazards and supports responsible waste management.
“By separating natural materials from regular garbage, we reduce what goes to the landfill and support long-term environmental responsibility in our community.”
“Programs like the residential branch dump and grass clippings area provide a small service that supports a much bigger goal,” Town of Olds Mayor Judy Dahl is quoted as saying in the news release.
“We are happy that we were able to include a grass bin this year after receiving community feedback.”
