The word curbside is understood in recycling circles as residential pickup service.
Early research showed that providing this service was the most effective way to significantly increase recycling rates.
In 2005 the Recycling Centre began curbside pickup in Flin Flon and Creighton.
Centre staff would drive the same route as the garbage truck each day and pick up any recyclables that were on the front curb. Materials were usually loose in bins which took more time than picking up bags.
People using the service were asked to pay of $30.00/year. This payment was on the honour system. Around 100 residents paid the fee.
Recycling rates increased. The highest tonnage in recycling history in our community is 2007 with 500 metric tons or tonnes recycled.
Curbside service ended in 2007 as it was did not cover costs and the program was short of money.
Recycling rates also dropped quickly over the next two years.
After a strong show of support from the community in 2009, the Recycling Centre Board decided to continue the recycling program. They were able to find better ways to pay the bills.
In 2010, a new model for curbside service was developed. Users paid for the service by buying one red bag. Recycling Centre staff picked up recyclables in Flin Flon and Creighton Wednesday mornings wherever there is a red bag on the front curb.
In 2014, Creighton changed one of their two weekly garbage pickups to recycling and no longer used the red bags.
The Red Bag program is still available Wednesday mornings in Flin Flon. It allows residents to save space at home and a trip to drop off recyclables.
More info is available at www.flinflonrecycling.org.