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The NWT government is hoping to open a ‘drop and go’ beverage recycling station at the end of Yellowknife’s 51 Street.
Housing NWT has applied to the city for a development permit to install the recycling station – which would consist of a machine-operated, modified seacan – beside the Aspen Apartments public housing complex.
According to the application, the recycling station would act solely as a collection container for people to drop off bags of refundable beverage containers. A dedicated contractor would then take the recycled materials to another site for sorting or processing, leaving the seacan at the site.
The application states a kiosk will be built into the seacan, allowing customers to enter their account information and temporarily unlock a chute door to enable drop-off.
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The NWT government’s proposal includes security cameras, solar panels, an emergency exit chute door that can be opened if someone climbs inside the seacan, and three parking stalls. The GNWT said it plans to disable drop-off from 10pm to 7am to discourage vandalism and control noise, and will hire a contractor to maintain the site.
The proposal is part of the GNWT’s plan to expand and improve access to its beverage container recycling program through centrally located recycling options.
City documents state the location on 51 Street was chosen due to its walkable access from nearby residential and commercial areas.
The territory said the recycling station would reduce the need for people to travel to the Bottle Shop Recycling Depot on Old Airport Road and could increase both the number of containers recycled and awareness of recycling.
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A proposed site plan for the ‘drop and go’ recycling depot as shown in city documents.
The GNWT anticipates the facility could be used by up to 25 people a day during busy months, with many people arriving by foot or on bicycle.
City planner Basel Sleem told councillors on Monday that city staff had not identified any concerns with the proposal other than the need to maintain access to a fire hydrant on 51 Street. He said the city will include that as a condition of a development permit.
If the proposal is approved, it would not be the first time that Yellowknifers in and around downtown have had more convenient access to bottle recycling.
The Bottle Shop has operated pop-up recycling depots at Somba K’e Park over the past two summers.
As the NWT government’s proposal requires an amendment to the city’s zoning bylaw, it will have to be approved by councillors and go through a public hearing before it is granted a development permit.
Housing NWT did not respond to Cabin Radio’s request for comment by the time of publication.
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