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City challenges residents to eliminate contamination from recyclables

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed December 1, 2015 8:00 AM

Summary

The City of Nanaimo is challenging residents to eliminate contamination within its curbside recycling program. The call to action follows a recent report which showed that 5.1 per cent of the recycling collected at the curb in the City contains "contamination" (things that aren't supposed to be collected in the recycling). The City's contamination rate is lower than the average for similar Cities in BC however, this is higher than the province's allowable rate of contamination which is 3 per cent.

The results come from Multi Material BC (MMBC), the province's curbside recycling stewardship program.

Link to Strategic Plan: Decreasing contamination of curbside recycling supports the City's ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability.

Key Points

  • The top three items wrongly put out in the yellow bag are: Glass, Styrofoam and Plastic Grocery Bags. These items can be taken to a recycling depot or placed in your garbage.
  • Other items that should not be placed in your yellow bag include: photographs, books, bathroom tissue and a wide range of large plastic items including toys, clothes hangers and laundry hampers.
  • House Hold Hazardous Waste including disposable propane canisters, medical sharps, flammable liquids, pesticides, aerosol containers that have not been completely emptied and batteries are also not to be placed out for recycling as they pose a significant fire risk.

Quotes

"Over the Christmas period all residents will receive a new garbage and recycling guide and calendar which will explain in detail which items go where. We encourage everyone to please read all the steps carefully and to contact public works on 250 758 5222 if they have any questions."

Charlotte Davis
Manager of Sanitation and Recycling
City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

  • Since May 2014, the City has contracted with MMBC to collect recycling in the City, this meant some changes to the program. Changes included the loss of the blue bag (Newspapers and Containers are now all placed in the yellow bag together) and the removal of plastic grocery bags from the program.
  • MMBC have the ability to fine the City if they fail to clean up the contents of the recycling collection and so City staff would like to remind residents of the items that are most commonly wrongly included in the yellow bag.
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Contact:

Charlotte Davis
Manager of Sanitation and Recycling
City of Nanaimo
250 756 5307

Print News Release

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