The community of Altona will soon have its own e-waste recycling depot. 

Until now, Blue Sky Opportunities acted as a drop-off and handler for e-waste in the community.

Until now, Blue Sky Opportunities acted as a drop-off and handler for e-waste in the community, and is now transitioning to become an official depot.

Recognizing e-waste as an area of growth in their recycling work and efforts, General Manager of Blue Sky Opportunites, Richard Neufeld says they wanted to accomodate the growth now, and into the future.

Last year alone, the Altona drop-off directed 17 metric tons of e-waste to Gateway Resources in Winkler. Neufeld says it's an area of Blue Sky's programs that continues to grow.

Neufeld says there will be a number of benefits for the community by having its own depot. "We no longer have to pay Winkler for having to manage the goods, and we'll start getting funded by the province for being a depot." From a tax base perspective, Neufeld says, it should cost the town less, and "Save them a few bucks every year. It's a win-win."

Blue Sky will be using funds received from Ecole West Park School's spring clean-a-thon fundraiser for the required e-waste storage facility. The 2021 clean-a-thon was held earlier in May, and was led by several youth groups in Altona.

Read more: Altona Youth Groups Take On Annual Spring Cleaning Tradition