OLDS — The Town of Olds has launched two moves to encourage residents to conserve water and generally be more eco-friendly.
The municipality will provide rebates of up to 50 per cent to a maximum of $50 per item to residents who purchase and make use of a rain barrel and/or home composter.
“By incentivizing the adoption of rainwater collection and home composting practices, the Town aims to reduce water consumption, alleviate strain on municipal infrastructure, and mitigate organic waste sent to landfills,” the town website says.
Chief administrative officer Brent Williams promoted the two rebate programs during town council’s May 6 committee of the whole meeting.
Coun. James Cummings said he and a local businessman came up with an idea to promote the two programs.
Cummings suggested that administrative staff reach out to local suppliers of rain barrels and composters to promote the program and offer a direct link, perhaps a QR code.
He said at least signs promoting the program should be made available.
“I mean that’s great, advertising the town of Olds. Lots of people walk by those pylons and see the town of Olds doing a rebate program helping the environment,” he said.
“If everybody who’s going to buy a rain barrel sees that sign that they can get the $50 rebate on a rain barrel, I think it would exponentially make the program better,” he added.
Williams described that as a “good idea.”
“We’ll look into it, see what we can find,” he said.
