The City of Lacombe endorsed the Solid Waste Route Optimization Implementation Timeline and approved administration's inclusion of the Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring and onboard navigation devices for four garbage trucks in the 2026 budget.
Currently, the City operates a solid waste management system through in-house collection services that support around 5,200 residential and 325 commercial units.
Waste collected from the residential and commercial properties is then transported to the Prentiss Transfer Station.
Grass recycling bins are collected and transported to D&M Concrete, and commercial cardboard collection is transported to the Red Deer Waste Management facility during warmer months.
Following a 2020 recommendation from Tetra Tech, which identified the need for macro-routing and improved workload distribution, Morrison Hershfield conducted a comprehensive review and optimization of the solid waste collection routes.
Hershfield's study builds on Tetra Tech's report, incorporating GIS-based route analysis, cost assessments, and strategic planning to support a more efficient and sustainable solid waste management system.
The previous solid waste collection routes were developed in an ad-hoc manner and modified as needed over time, Operation Services Director for the City of Lacombe Doug Halldorson said.
"As a result, the system became inefficient. The new route optimization process identified these inefficiencies, proposed improved routing, and helped to better balance the workload across the three collection trucks."
"The optimized routing system will reduce truck route overlap, address known pinch points, and improve overall efficiency. This means more consistent and streamlined service for residents, with fewer disruptions and better use of resources," he added.
Some community members in 2026 may be seeing a change to their black rollout bin collection day to accommodate the optimized routes, Halldorson said.
"However, alley bin collection will still occur once per week, and the specific day of that service is less critical. There will be no changes to collection schedules in 2025."
During the first half of 2026, an education campaign will be launched to inform and support community members through the transition.
