In 2026, the City of Airdrie will introduce an automated black cart garbage collection program to enhance waste-management efficiency and convenience. This initiative, endorsed by Airdrie City Council, follows extensive feedback from residents.

Over the next year, the City will collaborate with vendors to procure new household black carts. Here’s what residents can expect from the new program:

Automated collection: Similar to green and blue carts, specialized trucks will mechanically lift and empty carts, streamlining operations and reducing physical demands on collection staff. This advancement improves efficiency and enhances workplace safety.

Standard 120-litre black cart: Each household will receive a durable, easy-to-maneuver 120L black cart with a secure lid to keep pests out and minimize mess.

Weekly collection: Garbage pickup will continue weekly, ensuring prompt waste management. Visit airdrie.ca/blackcarts or sign up for notifications at myAIRDRIE.ca and never miss a collection day.

Exemptions and additional tags: Households with special waste needs will still have access to medical and diaper exemptions. Residents with occasional excess garbage can purchase additional waste tags to manage overflow easily.

Education and support: We understand that change can be confusing. As we approach the rollout, the City will provide educational resources to help residents transition smoothly. From tips on efficient waste management to guidelines on what belongs in your garbage, we’ve got you covered.

Here are some basic tips — even before the black carts arrive:

Common garbage items:

• Items made from multiple materials that cannot be separated (e.g., Pringles cans).

• Garden hoses, furnace filters, construction materials.

• Absorbent material (pads and wipes).

• Diapers and sanitary products.

Proper sorting helps manage waste responsibly and keeps recyclables and compostables out of the landfill. Here are some tips for successful sorting:

• Secure your garbage in bags to prevent loose items from spilling during collection.

• Safely dispose of sharp objects like broken glass by placing them in a sealed and puncture-resistant container. This keeps our workers safe.

• Ensure unobstructed access to your cart during collection by keeping it away from green carts or other objects.

The automated black cart program represents a significant step forward in waste management

for Airdrie. Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare to roll out the new carts!

In the meantime, visit airdrie.ca/blackcarts for additional helpful waste and recycling resources and updates.

Source: airdrielife

Deposit and down payment–two words that are commonly used and often interchanged. While they’re both upfront costs in the home buying process, the two terms are entirely different.

A deposit is money you attach to an offer to show a home seller that you’re interested in buying their property. A down payment is a percentage of the home price you pay upfront to close the purchase of a house.

The two payments sound similar but vary widely in a few distinct ways.

Deposit

A deposit is the money you present to a home seller during the offer stage to show your commitment to buying their property. It gives the seller confidence in your willingness and financial capacity to buy the property.

Down Payment

A down payment is a percentage of the home price you pay to seal the deal after the seller accepts your offer to buy a house. It is paid at closing, and the balance is then paid through your mortgage.

The size of a down payment varies but usually starts at 5%. A down payment of less than 20% normally requires a mortgage loan insurance plan. This protects mortgage lenders from the risk of a home buyer defaulting on their mortgage payments.

Key Differences Between a Deposit and a Down Payment on a House

The major differences between a home-buying deposit and a down payment are in the amount and timing of payment.

Amount of Down Payment

The deposit you pay to your seller is not set in stone. Your real estate agent may come to an agreement with the seller’s representative to establish a fair deposit amount and due date.

Down payments are a little different. The minimum home down payment in Canada ranges between 5% to 20%, depending on the home’s purchase price.

On the lender’s side, the home purchase price isn’t the only determinant of the amount of down payment you pay. Other things that affect the minimum required down payment include:

• Your credit history

• Whether you’re self-employed

As mentioned, your mortgage lender will also charge you a mortgage insurance premium if your down payment is below 20%. The amount of insurance premium you pay varies from 0.6% to 4.5% of your total mortgage amount. This is your lender’s way of covering their bases in case you fail to pay your mortgage in the future.

Keep in mind that your lender may also appraise the home value before they decide how much they want to lend you to buy the house.

Timing of Payment

A deposit typically comes before a down payment. When you see a house you like, you and your real estate agent will write an offer to purchase the property and send the offer to the seller along with a deposit. You can make the deposit via money order, certified cheque, or bank draft.

But the seller doesn’t receive the deposit immediately. If the seller accepts your offer, the deposit is held in trust by the seller’s brokerage until the house sale is complete. Think of the trust as an escrow account where funds are held until they’re safe to release to their rightful owners.

After the sale of the house is completed, the deposit will be added to the down payment amount. This is a legal requirement of the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002 (REBBA).

However, deposits often can’t be recovered if the house sale doesn’t close. For example, if you change your mind about the house, the seller isn’t legally required to return your deposit unless the offer includes specific clauses about this. In such cases, you would sign a Termination and Mutual Release form and get your deposit back.

A down payment happens on the day you close the deal on buying the house. On this day, the funds are released from the trust account into the hands of the seller.

Source: Remax.ca