Multi-unit properties in Calgary are not considered to be part of the residential sector. They are considered part of the industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) sector and can therefore enter into contracts with either private haulers or the City of Calgary itself. As a result, different buildings have different standards for waste sorting and collection.
To develop the March 2022 business case, Administration researched waste management practices in a number of municipalities. In Calgary, it was noted that a hybrid approach has led to challenges, including:
- Inconsistent standards and practices between buildings, which negatively affects participation, as residents moving to a new building must re-learn how to sort and dispose of their waste;
- Unequal rates between contractors/buildings
- A lack of waste composition data that makes it impossible to accurately track communal waste diversion or target education and enforcement
Property managers are also responsible for enforcement, not the City, which leads to inconsistency and an additional burden on property managers and residents.