Vauxhall updating waste bylaw

Posted on October 22, 2026 by Vauxhall Advance

By Nikki Jamieson
Vauxhall Advance
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Changes in recycling collection in Vauxhall have prompted another waste bylaw update.

During their regular Oct. 5 meeting, Vauxhall council reviewed a proposed waste management bylaw.

The Waste Management and Recycling Bylaw 1021-26 aims to update the Town’s existing Waste Management and Recycling Bylaw 1013-26. The bylaw had previously been updated back in February this year, with the addition of a clause for delivering notice via electronic means, as well as adding ‘or delving’, ‘or civic’, and ‘officer’, under the Municipal Tag section. While a copy of the bylaw with the proposed changes was not included in the agenda package for the meeting, assistant CAO and town manager Mindy Dunphy said the main changes to the bylaw revolved around recycling collection.

“We never really had a good definition of recycling depot operations. So we kind of changed this whole section,” said Dunphy of the changes. 

Vauxhall had transitioned to an enhanced recycling program on Oct. 1 that included curbside recycling collection for its residents. With their new recycling service now being managed by Circular Materials under Alberta’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, this had meant changes in how the community recycling depot was being used. As there is no need to bale or pack up the materials on site, CAO Cris Burns said the Town was just paying for renting a space now, not performing a service, and their rates were being adjusted accordingly.

“We shouldn’t be charging for recycling if we’re not collecting,” said Coun. Shelley Deleeuw.

Bottle depot operation is not impacted by these changes.

Council was asked their opinion about a commercial collection fee in the bylaw. Burns noted that commercial collection was not being implemented and they were directing commercial users to use the designated bin at the depot. The bin would be collected once a week, which was paid for by the province. Multiple members of council believed it wasn’t fair to charge a fee to commercial users.

Council passed first reading of Waste Management and Recycling Bylaw 1021-26 as amended.