Caring for one another through waste diversion

One local care facility has been looking after more than just its residents. 

The Good Samaritan West Highlands Centre and Estates has been a leader in waste diversion for more than 20 years. 

“Diverting waste from our landfill has always been a priority for us,” says Angela Henke, Hospitality Manager for the Good Samaritan. “We have participated in recycling programs here since we opened in 2005, recycling cardboard, paper and bottles.”

When the City expanded its mandatory business recycling program in 2023 to include organics, Henke and the Good Samaritan team followed, staying committed to protecting the environment and nursing a hospitable community. 

“We implemented composting as a way to reduce our carbon footprint and ensure we do our part to make the community clean and livable for future generations,” says Henke. 

As a not-for-profit organization, Good Samaritan works hard to demonstrate sustainability and good resource stewardship across all parts of its operations. 

Henke says she found it easy to create a waste diversion program that is accessible for staff, residents and visitors thanks to the free online tools and resources available on the City’s website. 

“The annual reporting process is simple and takes about five minutes to complete,” says Henke. “I like that the questions in the report also contain links to resources that the City has provided. The sign maker is especially useful because it can be customized to include items and products that are used in your business’s specific setting.” 

Lethbridge is home to more than 2,900 businesses, institutions and private organizations. Whether large, small, family-owned, part of a national corporation, for-profit, or a charitable organization, all businesses fall under the Mandatory Recycling and Mandatory Organics provisions within the City of Lethbridge’s Waste Bylaw 6146. Home-based businesses are exempt from the mandatory requirements, as they follow the residential waste, organics and recycling program. The bylaw requires businesses to complete an annual waste report which is due on January 31, 2025. 

To access the free tools and resources designed to assist with these requirements, including the online waste report submission portal, go to lethbridge.ca/businesswaste. 

For Public Inquiries: 
Call 311 | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.