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Garbage, Recycling and Composting
NEW! Update to Waste Services in Diamond Valley – Collection Day Changes
The Town of Diamond Valley is making changes to waste collection to enhance efficiency, accommodate community growth, and align with sustainability goals, while also reducing overall waste service costs for residents.
- Garbage collection has moved to biweekly pickup starting May 1, 2025.
- Recycling and Organics will continue to be collected weekly (Organics bi-weekly from November – March).
While Garbage collection days remain unchanged for both communities, Black Diamond residents will see an adjustment to their Organics and Recycling pickup day, which will be moved to Friday. Turner Valley's Organics and Recycling remains on Wednesdays.
New collection schedules will be communicated via the Town’s website, Facebook page, and stickers applied to waste carts. Residents can also subscribe to the new Waste Pickup Calendars available for both Turner Valley and Black Diamond communities to have automatic reminders sent the day before waste pickup.
Updated Collection Schedule
Tuesday | Turner Valley Garbage (Black Bin) |
Wednesday | Turner Valley Recycling (Blue Bin) & Compost (Organics* / Green Bin) |
Thursday | Black Diamond Garbage (Black Bin) |
Friday (New!) | Black Diamond Recycling (Blue Bin) & Compost (Organics* / Green Bin) |
Waste Rate Changes
Effective May 1, 2025, waste rates will be adjusted to reflect the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, the shift to biweekly garbage pickup, and updated organics processing costs.
New Waste Rate Breakdown
Service | Jan – April 2025 | May – Dec 2025 |
Garbage | $20.80 (Weekly Pickup) | $15.42 (Biweekly Pickup) |
Recycling | $13.46 | $0 (covered by EPR) |
Organics | $15.36 | $16.45 |
Program Fee | $2.00 | $2.00 |
Total | $51.62 | $33.87 |
Items of Note
- Diamond Valley contracts waste collection through the Town of Okotoks, and as Okotoks is moving to biweekly garbage pickup, this change also applies to Diamond Valley residents.
- The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, operated by Circular Materials,has replaced Okotoks' provision of Recycling service as of April 1, 2025. There will be no change to the level of Recycling services provided.
- Businesses are no longer eligible for curbside pickup of waste.
- Additional waste carts may be requested by households with medical needs or larger families. The application process is subject to specific criteria, and if approved, the additional cart fee will be added to the utility account.
- Additional garbage bags for extra waste disposal can be purchased at the Esso in Black DIamond, and can be taken to the Waste Transfer Station, located NW of the Black Diamond community.
- *The term “organics” refers to organic materials, not certified organic products. This means items in the compost stream do not need to be certified organic. Most food scraps, yard waste, and even some paper products are considered organic materials and are acceptable in the green cart.
This change supports sustainability & operational efficiency
- Reducing garbage collection to biweekly encourages more recycling and composting, reducing landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
- A 2018 pilot project in Okotoks demonstrated that households on biweekly garbage collection sent less waste to landfill and had a lower contamination rate in their recycling and organics carts.
- According to a recent waste audit conducted in Diamond Valley, up to two-thirds of black cart waste could be diverted to recycling and composting.
Other municipalities that have successfully implemented biweekly garbage collection while maintaining weekly recycling and composting pickup include:
- Edmonton
- Calgary
- Lethbridge
- Red Deer
- Stony Plain
- St. Albert
- Strathcona County
- Chestermere
These changes align Diamond Valley with proven best practices for waste collection, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.
For concerns or questions, please call 403-933-4348 or email info@DiamondValley.town
Waste Rate Changes
Effective May 1, 2025, waste rates will be adjusted to reflect the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, the shift to biweekly garbage pickup, and updated organics processing costs.
On March 19, 2025, Council passed a revised Waste Management Bylaw 2024-41, which includes a slight increase to the rates for some waste services, effective May 1, 2025.
Rates per household per 2-month billing cycle | |||
| Former Rate | Change | New Rates Effective May 1, 2025 | |
| Garbage | $20.80 | -$5.38 | $15.42 |
| Recycling | $13.46 | -$13.46 | $0.00 |
| Organics / Compost | $15.36 | +$1.09 | $16.45 |
| Program Fee | $2.00 | $0.00 | $2.00 |
| TOTAL | $51.62 | -$17.75 | $33.87 |
View Diamond Valley 3-Stream Waste Collection Guide here
Not sure what goes in which bin? Visit www.diamondvalley.town/WhatGoesWhere
Do you want email or text reminders for your pick-up days? Sign-up at www.diamondvalley.town/NotifyMe
Garbage Collection Tuesdays (Turner Valley community) and Thursdays (Black Diamond community) bi-weekly
Collection reminders to residents are:
- Waste must be bagged and tied shut, no loose waste in the cart
- The set-out time for carts is 7:00 am
- Ensure the cart is placed properly for pick-up (see 3-Stream Waste Collection Guide)
- Lids left open slightly may not be picked up
- When items are stuffed in cart, they may not tip properly leaving items behind.
Recycling & Compost Collection Wednesdays (all residences)
Collection reminders to residents are:
- Recycling must be loose in the cart (shredded paper must be in blue recycle bag or loose in compost)
- The set-out time for carts is 7:00 am
- Ensure the cart is placed properly for pick-up (see 3-Stream Waste Collection Guide)
- For information on what goes in each cart, see the FAQs or the Green Bin or Blue Bin pages or visit www.diamondvalley.town/WhatGoesWhere
- Lids left open slightly may not be picked up
- When items are stuffed in cart, they may not tip properly leaving items behind.
Prevent your organics from freezing to the inside of your cart once colder weather arrives by discovering these helpful tips from Okotoks Waste Services.
Weekly Green Cart Service (Compost / Organics) schedule changes seasonally
Green and Blue Carts are both collected every week on Wednesdays for all residences in Diamond Valley from April through October. From November - March, Green Bin collection slows to every two weeks, as there is decreased demand for the service outside of gardening season. Please note that the cost of the 3-Stream Waste Collection Program remains constant throughout the year, as the cost of service for the entire program is divided equally between all months, and charged to residents bi-monthly on their utility bills.
If your garbage, recycling or compost does NOT get picked up
Fill in the online form at www.diamondvalley.town/Missed_DamagedCart
Send an email to waste@okotoks.ca or call 403-938-8054
Subject Line: Address (Your address) Issue: Garbage/Recycling/Compost Not Picked Up
Body of email:
- Collection address
- Resident First and Last Name
- Resident Email Address
- Resident Phone Number
Residents with inquiries can contact the Town of Diamond Valley at (403) 933-4348.
Not sure what goes in your bins?
Visit www.diamondvalley.town/WhatGoesWhere
Bins not out by 7am may not be picked up.
Bins left partially open may not be picked up.
2024 Diamond Valley Waste Audit
In June 2024, the Town conducted a comprehensive waste audit to gain insights into the use of curbside waste programs. The audit examined garbage, recycling, and organics streams to identify areas for improvement. The findings reveal that nearly half of the garbage is compostable, highlighting opportunities to better utilize green bins and reduce landfill waste. Explore the full report to see detailed results and learn how to enhance waste management practices and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable Diamond Valley.
- Why the 3-stream waste collection program?
-
The majority of household waste is made up of recyclables and organics. Recycling and composting are important to reduce the impact on our environment and to extend the life of our landfill.
Green & blue carts have proven to be effective in diverting waste from the landfill. On a Town-wide basis, that would translate into thousands of tonnes of annual waste being turned into useful recycled materials & rich compost for farms instead of taking up valuable space in the landfill.
Waste diversion creates many advantages for the environment; that is why many municipalities in Alberta have or are implementing a green and blue cart program.
By using your blue and green carts, you can:
• Reduce dependence on and extend the life of our landfill.
• Reduce greenhouse gases, helping our environment now and for future generations.
• Turn food and yard waste into useful compost.
- When are my waste pick up days?
-
Garbage pickup occurs every other week on Tuesdays in the community of Turner Valley and Thursdays in Black Diamond.
Recycling and Organics (Compost) are picked up on Wednesdays in Turner Valley and Fridays in Black Diamond.
Compost is only picked up every two weeks throughout the winter.
Some exceptions occur around statutory holidays.
Visit DiamondValley.Waste for details.
View the Black Diamond pickup schedule calendar at DiamondValley.town/BDWaste
View the Turner Valley pickup schedule calendar at DiamondValley.town/TVWaste
Subscribe to receive notifications of upcoming pickup dates at DiamondValley.town/NotifyMe
- How often are my carts collected?
-
Black garbage carts are collected every two weeks.
Blue recycling carts are collected weekly year-round.
Green organics carts are picked up:
- every week from April to the end of October,
- every two weeks from November to the end of March.
Some exceptions occur on statutory holidays.
View the schedules at
DiamondValley.town/BDWaste
DiamondValley.town/TVWasteSubscribe to calendar notifications at DiamondValley.town/NotifyMe
- What time should I put my carts out for collection?
-
Carts must be placed in the pickup location on the designated day by 7a.m. Carts not out by 7a.m. may not be picked up.
Carts may be set out any time after 6pm on the day before collection and should be brought in from the street by 10pm on collection day.
- Why are the green carts collected bi-weekly from November to the end of March?
-
The green cart is collected weekly from April to October when the weather is warmer and there is also yard waste included in the cart.
The green cart is collected bi-weekly from November to March throughout the winter season when it is colder outside and the carts will have little to no yard waste.
- What rates do I pay for waste services?
-
New Waste Services Rates in Effect May 1, 2025
On March 19, 2025, Council passed a revised Waste Management Bylaw 2024-41, which includes a slight increase to the rates for some waste services, effective May 1, 2025.
(Rates per household per 2-month billing cycle)
Former Rate Change New Rates EffectiveMay 1, 2025Garbage $20.80 -$5.38 $15.42 Recycling $13.46 -$13.46 $0.00 Organics / Compost $15.36 +$1.09 $16.45 Program Fee $2.00 $0.00 $2.00 TOTAL $51.62 -$17.75 $33.87
- Can I opt out of the Town 3-stream Collection Program?
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There is no opportunity to opt out of the municipal waste collection program. These fees are automatically applied to the utility bills for all residences.
- Where should I place my carts for pickup?
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The route and cart placement for blue and green carts will be the same as for the black carts.
- How can I fit three carts on my cul-de-sac?
-
Municipalities encourage residents living on a smaller street or cul-de-sac to not park on the street for collection day to allow room for the carts.
Some households place their carts in their driveway strategically so that there is room for one car to pull in and out without having to move the carts. Alternatively, some neighbours have worked together logistically to place their carts in areas with more space.
- Can I place additional bags beside my cart for pickup?
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No, additional bags beside your cart will not be collected.
- My cart is damaged/missing. How can I have it repaired or replaced?
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If your cart is damaged or missing, please fill out the online Report a Missed/Damaged Cart form. Please allow a maximum of five business days to complete your request.
If you have any questions please contact Waste Services at waste@okotoks.ca or 403-938-8054.