City reminds residents - plastic bags no longer accepted in curbside recycling

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed August 14, 2014 8:34 AM

Summary

While more than ten new items are now accepted in the curbside recycling collection, the City of Nanaimo wants to remind residents that plastic bags are no longer accepted as a recyclable product. The decision not to collect plastic bags follows ongoing problems during the recycling sorting process whereby grocery bags and other “film products” such as plastic wrappers become tangled in machinery or wrapped among other recyclable products.

Three alternatives for recycling plastic bags remain in place. Residents can drop off grocery bags and other film plastics at recycling depots, including the Nanaimo Recycling Exchange and Return-It depots. Alternatively, many grocery stores also accept plastic bags for recycling. Rather than making a special trip to a depot or grocery store to drop off plastic bags, the City encourages residents include them when dropping off glass and returnable containers.

Link to Strategic Plan: Nanaimo's recycling program supports the City's ongoing commitment to sustainability; by recycling at the curb we take more responsibility for the protection of our environment.

Key Points

You can recycle plastic bags (and other film plastics) at depots such as the Nanaimo Recycling Exchange and Return-It depots. Alternatively, many grocery stores take plastic bags. If you are unable to recycle the bags, they may be placed in your garbage.
The Nanaimo Recycling Exchange also accepts other items that are not collected at the curbside, including glass containers and styrofoam.
Plastic bags are no longer accepted as they cause problems in the sorting process that results in less material being recycled. This change was mandated by the Province through the new Printed Paper and Packaging Stewardship program - MMBC.

Quotes

"I'd like to ask residents not to place plastic bags out for collection in the curbside recycling. Plastic bags have not been accepted since May of this year. Unfortunately, plastic bags are still being placed out for collection and are contaminating the City's recycling loads. This is causing problems sorting materials."

Charlotte Davis

Manager of Sanitation and Recycling

City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

Nanaimo does a fantastic job recycling; in 2013 we diverted an impressive 61% of our waste from the landfill which is something we should all be very proud of.

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Contact:

Charlotte Davis

Manager of Sanitation and Recycling

City of Nanaimo

250 758 5222

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