Message from the Board Chair

Serving the area along the Bow River from Banff, Canmore through to the Municipal District of Bighorn, the Bow Valley Waste Management Commission considers waste to be a valuable resource and encourages a "Zero Waste" philosophy. It has well established itself as a successful business organization in the field of waste management, growing substantially with both the overall volume of materials being handled at our regional Class III landfill and the operational budget having nearly doubled in the past five years. In 2006 we saw a Class III landfill diversion rate of 62%, diverting 17,000 tonnes to our Resource Recovery Centre. We are well on our way towards our target goal of 80% diversion of construction and demolition materials from our landfill by 2010.

The stage is being set for the Commission to tackle the next major challenges in the development of an integrated waste resource management system serving our region. The growth in the valley and limits on available land puts additional pressure on the Members to work together in building for and anticipating our collective needs moving forward into the future.

This website is one of our key initiatives. It highlights various local programs and projects. Residents, visitors, builders and business owners alike can seek out answers to their recycling, composting and waste management questions. By each doing our part, we can protect this beautiful area in which we live and play by ensuring we leave only footprints.

Dene Cooper
Chair, Bow Valley Waste Management Commission