Construction on a waste diversion system at the Altona/Rhineland landfill will get underway shortly.

Altona town council has awarded the tender to Plum Coulee based J.K.W. Construction for a cost of $275,000.

The diversion is intended to keep more recyclable materials out of the general waste stream.

It will be structured so that people dropping off waste material won't have to enter the main landfill cell when dropping off their garbage.

"There were some workplace, health and safety concerns regarding access to the active cell when there is equipment operating there," said Altona CAO Dan Gagne. "We also have an active burn cell that is a risk to the public. All of those things went into the thinking and design of this diversion."

The waste diversion site will be set up to catch the materials that often end up in the main landfill cell, but really don't belong there. Items such as propane tanks, batteries, mattresses. appliances, and certain construction waste.

"It'll provide people with a chance to more responsibly go through their waste before they load up their vehicles, and then when they get to the site they'll be able to access a recycling loop to dispose of the various materials."

The waste diversion will be set up on the west side of the landfill property and the design will feature two loops.

The first loop will be accessed just before the weigh scale and will be used for all recyclable material. The second loop will be used for disposing household garbage and will be situated after the weigh scale.

"Both loops will have two levels. The top level is for public access where people will be able to back their vehicles up to a barricaded wall, and below the wall there will be bins where the materials can be lowered into. It will be easier for people to dispose of their waste if they're coming in with a trailer or truck. It should make things a little more convenient and little more safe," said Gagne.

Some recyclable materials will still need to be stockpiled, but the new system will go a long way in managing the waste that flows into the landfill and prolong the life of the facility.

Gagne says they hope to have the waste diversion up and running by late summer.