Originally published Dec. 21/16  The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

* This is a slightly different version of the one published last year. 

The holiday season is a busy time at the Recycling Centre. Festivities and gift giving leaves lots of waste. Much of it can be recycled. Some things cannot.

The usual things are recyclable: beverage containers, cardboard, boxboard, all plastics containers that have a number in the recycling symbol except #6 (PS), Christmas cards, tin cans, batteries, newspapers and fliers, catalogues, magazines and office paper.  

Food and drink containers should not be drippy, sticky or gooey.

Eligible electronics can be recycled. Check the list at www.recycleMYelectronics.ca.

Things that belong in the garbage are: gift wrap, ribbons, envelopes with foil or plastic liners, coffee tins made of cardboard and metal, Styrofoam (including packing peanuts), plastic bags and wrap, plastic packaging with no number,  disposable plates and cups including coffee cups. 

We cannot recycle Christmas decorations including Christmas lights.

Call the Recycling Centre with any questions at 204 687 6169.

Reduce waste by using and reusing gift bags and enjoying each other’s company while washing dishes instead of using disposable ones. 

Gifts often replace something that is still usable. Take the time to find a new home for the old items. There are many ways to do this. Take it to a second hand store or advertise it on Trader’s Post, Kijiji, or similar service.  Or give it away.

Consider giving something that makes the world a better place and creates very little waste. Many charities have special projects you can contribute to in honour of someone on your list.

This season as always, remember that everything we have comes from the earth. As you treat each other to Christmas cheer and kindness, remember to also be kind to Mother Earth. 

Originally published Dec 7/16 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

* A wide variety of items are collected for recycling at the Recycling Centre. Paper and cardboard (fiber) products, plastic containers except #6 plastic, tin and aluminium cans, glass bottles and jars.  Sorting is not required.  Check our website at www.flinflonrecycling.org. 

* Containers should not be drippy, sticky, or gooey. They don’t have to be sparkling clean, but rinsing and draining makes a big difference. It prevents messes in your bin and at the Recycling Centre.  Animals and birds are not attracted to them at your home or at the Recycling Centre.  Paper products remain clean and dry when everything is comingled in bales sent to Winnipeg for sorting. 

* We recycle batteries (except vehicle) and electronics including all computers and pieces, televisions, sound systems, telephones and microwaves (the only appliance accepted). A list is available at www.recycleMYelectronics.ca. 

* The Recycling Centre collects paint, fluorescent light bulbs and thermostats for safe disposal. Check our facebook page, Flin Flon Recycling for pictures of compact fluorescent bulbs. 

*Shredded paper needs to be in a separate bag. It can go in a bigger bag with other recyclables. It should be office paper only.   

* Please remove Styrofoam from cardboard boxes as it cannot be recycled. 

* Wrapping paper, tissue paper, ribbons, and Christmas decorations are not recyclable.
 
* Plastic bags, disposable paper products and coffee cups are not recyclable. 

* We do not recycle ceiling tiles and other building materials. Check the landfill tab on our website. 

* We have items for reuse at the Recycling Centre including wine bottles, 3 ring binders, file folders and plastic pails. Let us know if you need something else. A small donation is appreciated.

​Originally published Nov 30/16 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.

Plastic is made from oil, the same kind that gasoline is made from.

Recycling a ton of plastic bottles saves about 3.8 barrels of oil. Flin Flon recycled almost 11 tons of plastic in 2015 which saved over 41 barrels of oil.

Pure plastic is very unstable and wouldn’t hold anything.  Different chemicals are added to make it useful based on what the plastic will be used for.  So plastic is really a family of related materials.

When plastic items are made, it is important to have only one kind of plastic with no other kind mixed in.  When plastic recycling began, something was needed to make sure the recycled plastic resin was pure.

In 1988, SPI, the plastic Trade Association in the US developed the Resin Identification Code.  A number inside the Mobius loop (recycling symbol) and the letters underneath identifies the kind of plastic the item is made of. 

The numbers and names are:
 
-#1 PETE – Polyethylene Terephthalate
-#2 HDPE – High-density polyethylene
-#3 Vinyl  - Poly Vinyl Chloride
-#4 LDPE – Low-density polyethylene
-#5 PP – polypropylene
-#6 PS – Polystyrene
-#7 – Other – mixed plastics
 
The majority of plastics recycled are #1 which include most drink bottles, and #2 found in milk jugs and shampoo bottles.
 
The Flin Flon Recycling Centre accepts all plastic containers with recycling symbols and numbers except # 6. It is the only one with an ‘S’ in the letters. Number one plastic that you cannot see through (usually black or orange)is also not recyclable.
 
The Flin Flon Recycling Centre cannot recycle ‘film’ plastic like bags and wrap.
 
Plastic can be a big problem in the environment. Recycling keeps it useful.  

        Newsprint – 1,510 kg
        Co-mingled* - 12,233 kg
        Office Paper – 3,213 kg
        Cardboard – 16,980 kg
        Glass – 3,690 kg
            

Total for 2016 – 407,116 kg
Total for 2015 (Nov)  – 422,456 kg
Difference - - 15,340 kg

* Co-mingled is unsorted materials sent to Winnipeg for sorting

Comments: November is often a slow month, but not this year. We were very close to last year's tonnage in November and the co-mingle continues to increase.