In a long-anticipated move, the City of Airdrie will implement an automated garbage collection system bringing black bins to households across the city.
The rollout is slated for mid-2026.
The new black bins will have a capacity of 120 liters, half the size of the 240-liter green and blue bins. The City of Airdrie says this choice aligns with the city’s goals to maintain high diversion rates while ensuring that waste is securely contained and inaccessible to wildlife.
“Thank you to the 2,000+ residents who shared their input on automated garbage collection—75 per cent of you supported this transition,” says a post from the City of Airdrie.
“Your feedback has been essential in shaping Airdrie’s waste collection services.”
A social media post from Airdrie City Councillor Heather Spearman City says the transition to automated collection also addresses ongoing industry challenges, as finding contractors for manual waste pickup has become increasingly difficult. In addition, automation is expected to enhance the safety of collection crews by reducing the physical demands of manual garbage handling.
The City expects an increase of $1-2 per month per household to support equipment and maintenance for the program.
The rollout is slated for mid-2026, and Airdrie City Council says they are committed to providing ongoing updates and resources to ensure a smooth transition for all residents.
Learn more at: https://involve.airdrie.ca/black-carts
