Fort Smith (Mar 13/06) - Sometime this spring, Fort Smith residents will have a choice when dropping garbage into sidewalk bins.

The bins will have two openings - one for garbage and the other for recyclable beverage containers.

Kate Thomson, the executive director of the Fort Smith Environmental Society, hopes the community's new dual bins - for garbage and recyclables - will mean less material at the municipal landfill site. - Photo courtesy of Kate Thomson

The garbage will be taken away as usual by the Town of Fort Smith, while the recyclables will be collected by the Fort Smith Environmental Society.

Recyclables such as pop cans and bottles will be brought to the GNWT's recycling depot and deposit refunds will be used for environmental society projects.

Mayor Peter Martselos says all of the town's existing garbage bins at various locations, such as on sidewalks and in parks, will be replaced by 20 new bins at a cost of about $30,000.

They will be supplied by Haul-All Equipment Services of Lethbridge, Alta.

Martselos says he has never seen such dual-purpose bins elsewhere in the NWT, although he's not sure if they're a first in the North.

"I think we are the leader in the NWT," Martselos says.

Yellowknife, for one, doesn't have them.

City councillor Kevin O'Reilly says they have been discussed, however.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Yellowknife does this in the next couple of years," he says, adding the dual-opening bins are a great way to get litter off the street.

Kate Thomson, the executive director of the Fort Smith Environmental Society, expects the new bins to be installed in May after the snow melts.

Thomson says it would be great if the project is a first for the NWT.

"I'm hoping it would be a pilot project for, and an example to the Northwest Territories. I really hope it will catch on."