May total – 44,308 kg
       
        Aluminum – 677 kg
        Commingled* - 10,593 kg
        Office Paper – 2,737 kg
        Cardboard – 25,410 kg
        Glass – 4,891 kg
        

Total for 2020 – 201,887 kg
Total for 2019 – 212,755 kg
Difference – -10,868 kg

Batteries – 62 kg

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


Comments – We are significantly behind last year's weights. Only glass and aluminum have shown an increase. Some of this is related to less business because of the pandemic which means less cardboard from businesses. The Commingle weights continue to go down which has been the trend everywhere in the industry in the last few years because there is less paper in the mix.

We have seen an increase in the amount of beverage containers. Aluminum is ahead 300 kilograms which is three bales. Beer container returns are also up significantly (20,000 bottles and cans more than last year), More plastic beverage containers are going into the commingle bales as well. 

April total – 40,871 kg
       
        Aluminum – 610 kg
        Commingled* - 10,589 kg
        Office Paper – 1,633 kg
        Cardboard – 23,552 kg
        Glass – 4,487 kg
  

Total for 2020 – 157,579 kg
Total for 2019 – 162,423 kg
Difference – -4,853 kg

Batteries – 123 kg

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


Comments – 

March total – 40,019 kg
       
        Aluminum – 471 kg
        Commingled* - 9,958 kg
        Office Paper – 2,242 kg
        Cardboard – 22,853 kg
        Glass – 3,726 kg
       
      
Total for 2020 – 116,708 kg
Total for 2019 – 162,423 kg
Difference – -3,455 kg


E – waste –  6.1 tonnes
 
Batteries – 101 kg

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


Comments – 

February total – 34,949 kg
       
        Aluminum – 304 kg
        Commingled* - 8,189 kg
        Office Paper – 3,095 kg
        Cardboard – 20,741 kg
        Glass – 2,620 kg
     

Total for 2020 – 76,689 kg
Total for 2019 – 78,817 kg
Difference – -2,128 kg

Batteries – 22 kg

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


Comments – February is usually a slow month. It is shorter and the Christmas rush is over, and spring isn't here yet. 

January total – 41,740 kg
       
        Aluminum – 598 kg
        Commingled* - 10,363 kg
        Office Paper – 3,578 kg
        Cardboard – 22,535 kg
        Glass – 4,306 kg
        Books – 717 kg
        Other plastics –

Total for 2020 – 41,740 kg
Total for 2019 – 42,802 kg
Difference – -1,062 kg

Batteries – 70 kg

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


Comments – 

December total – 39,975 kg
       
        Aluminum – 487 kg
        Commingled* - 10,629 kg
        Office Paper – 1,842 kg
        Cardboard – 22,186 kg
        Glass – 4,114 kg
        Books – 717 kg
        Other plastics –

Total for 2019 – 519,375 kg
Total for 2018 – 510,361 kg
Difference – 9,014 kg
 
Batteries – 36 kg

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

Comments –  This is a new record bettering our record breaking year last year by just over 9 tonnes. The increases were in corrugated cardboard (13.3 metric tons or tonnes), aluminum (2.1 tonnes), glass (5.1 tonnes) and miscellaneous materials like books (1.9 tonnes). Office paper was down 1.5 tonnes and the commingled materials (paper and packaging materials) was down 12 tonnes which is concerning. 

There are several possible reasons - less paper materials so the weights are lighter, people reducing the amount of stuff they get so there is less to recycle (which is a good thing) or fewer households recycling as people move away or stop recycling. It is probably a combination of all four.

It is encouraging that size of the reduced weights over  previous years did not increase month over month beginning in July.  

There are still many households and businesses that are not recycling so we definitely can still grow. 

​ 
October total – 43,332 kg
       
        Aluminum – 579 kg
        Commingled* - 11,423 kg
        Office Paper – 1,753 kg
        Cardboard – 24,422 kg
        Glass – 4,776 kg
        Books – 606 kg
        Other plastics – 66 kg

Total for 2019 –  439,270 kg
Total for 2018 – 430,810 kg
Difference – 8,460 kg


E – waste – 9,280 kg
 
Batteries – 61 kg

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


Comments – 

September total – 43,332 kg
       
        Aluminum – 729 kg
        Commingled* - 11,912 kg
        Office Paper – 2,867 kg
        Cardboard – 22,691 kg
        Glass – 4,212 kg
        Books – 659 kg
        Other plastics – 66 kg

Total for 2019 –  395,711 kg
Total for 2018 – 391,839 kg
Difference – 3,872 kg


E – waste – 9,280 kg
 
Batteries – 116 kg

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

August total – 44,608 kg
       
        Aluminum – 462 kg
        Commingled* - 11,043 kg
        Office Paper – 1,775 kg
        Cardboard – 25,224 kg
        Glass – 5,400 kg
        Books – 704 kg
        Other plastics –

Total for 2019 –  352,379 kg
Total for 2018 – 352,077 kg
Difference – 302 kg


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


Comments – The commingle totals are down 12 tonnes from this time last year. Discussions this months with others in the province indicate this is a trend everywhere. It seems to be related to less paper products in the recycling stream which weigh more. 

July total – 54,123 kg
       
        Aluminum – 833 kg
        Commingled* - 11,945 kg
        Office Paper – 5,784 kg
        Cardboard – 28,618 kg
        Glass – 5,704 kg
        Books – 712 kg
        Other plastics – 335 kg

Total for 2019 –  307,771 kg
Total for 2018 – 307,212 kg
Difference – 559 kg

Batteries – 91 kg

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


Comments – This is the highest monthly total ever. 

June total – 40,893 kg
       
        Aluminum – 651 kg
        Commingled* - 10,962 kg
        Office Paper – 2,778 kg
        Cardboard – 22,786 kg
        Glass – 3,093 kg
        Books –  623 kg
        Other plastics –

Total for 2019 –  253,648 kg
Total for 2018 – 258,402 kg
Difference – -4,754 kg
 
Batteries – 105 kg

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


Comments – After a record month in May, June's totals were significantly less than last year putting us behind last year's totals by almost 5 tonnes. Part of this may be that we were behind with baling and weights. The Centre was full of recyclables that needed to be baled so those weights don't show up. Hopefully this trend will reverse in July. 

May total – 50,323 kg
       
        Aluminum – 472 kg
        Commingled* - 13,375 kg
        Office Paper – 3,737 kg
        Cardboard – 25,955 kg
        Glass – 5,414 kg
        Books –  712
        Other plastics – 591

Total for 2019 –  212,755 kg
Total for 2018 – 211,906 kg
Difference – +849 kg


Batteries – 90 kg

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


Comments – This month was a new record for kilograms in a month. It is the first time we are over 50. 

April total – 42,269 kg
       
        Aluminum – 386 kg
        Commingled* - 11,382 kg
        Office Paper – 2,259 kg
        Cardboard – 24,643 kg
        Glass – 3,599 kg
      
Total for 2019 –  162,423 kg
Total for 2018 – 162,863 kg
Difference – -431 kg


Batteries – 37 kg

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


Comments – April 2018 was a record setting month at 49 tonnes, so this year April we fell behind. I expect that negative number will soon disappear. 

I am also fairly certain that the drop in commingle tonnage is mostly the result of lighter weight materials being baled. 

March total – 41,346 kg
       
        Aluminum – 615 kg
        Commingled* - 10,173 kg
        Office Paper – 2,684 kg
        Cardboard – 23,289 kg
        Glass – 3,619 kg
        Books –  776 kg
        Other plastics – 190 kg

Total for 2019 –  120,163 kg
Total for 2018 – 113,813 kg
Difference – +6,350 kg
 
Batteries – 146 kg

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


Comments – 

February total – 36,015 kg
       
        Aluminum – 230 kg
        Commingled* - 9,191 kg
        Office Paper – 4,111 kg
        Cardboard – 19,300 kg
        Glass – 3,183 kg
     

Total for 2019 –  78,817kg
Total for 2018 – 70,777 kg
Difference – +8,040 kg

Batteries – 46 kg

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


Comments – 

January total – 42,802 kg
       
        Aluminum – 627 kg
        Commingled* - 9,987 kg
        Office Paper – 3,085 kg
        Cardboard – 23,644 kg
        Glass – 4,306 kg
        Books – 819
        Other plastics - 334

Total for 2019 – 42,802 kg
Total for 2017 – 37,799 kg
Difference – +5,003 kg

Batteries – 96  kg

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


Comments – 

December total – 37,437 kg
       
        Aluminum – 262 kg
        Commingled* - 10,048 kg
        Office Paper – 2,663 kg
        Cardboard – 20,545 kg
        Glass – 3,929 kg
        Books - 797

Total for 2018 – 510,361 kg
Total for 2017 – 463,516 kg
Difference – +46,845 kg


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


Comments – A new record for metric tons (tonnes) recycled in one year! The previous record was 500 in 2007. 

The biggest increase is in cardboard at 50.4 tonnes. The big surprise was a decrease of 6.4 tonnes in the commingled category which includes the aluminum as it was mixed in last year. It would seem there is less recyclables coming from homes. Maybe people are consuming less which is a good thing, or there is more plastic and less paper which weighs less or...

​We definitely want to reverse that trend in 2019!

November total – 42,114 kg
       
        Aluminum – 338 kg
        Co-mingled* - 12,129 kg
        Office Paper – 2,692 kg
        Cardboard – 23,111 kg
        Glass – 2,943 kg
        Books - 797

Total for 2018 – 472,924 kg
Total for 2017 – 430,138 kg
Difference – +42,784 kg


E – waste –  a load was shipped. Weight will be available shortly
 
Batteries – 112  kg

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


Comments – Traditionally November is a slow month. This year October was the slow month and November was busy. Co-mingled materials are 6,912 kg less than last year. Corrugated cardboard is 46 tonnes ahead. 

October total – 38,971 kg
       
        Aluminum – 479 kg
        Co-mingled* - 10,225 kg
        Office Paper – 2,262 kg
        Cardboard – 22,066 kg
        Glass – 3,596 kg
       

Total for 2018 – 430,810 kg
Total for 2017 – 392,741 kg
Difference – +38,069 kg


Batteries – 34  kg

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


Comments – October was slower than last year when we recycled 42 tonnes. So we have slipped a bit and may not make 500 tonnes this year. 

September total – 39,762 kg
       
        Aluminum – 603 kg
        Co-mingled* - 11,321 kg
        Office Paper – 2,244 kg
        Cardboard – 21,032 kg
        Glass – 3,498 kg
        Books - 688

Total for 2018 – 391,839 kg
Total for 2017 – 350,503 kg
Difference – +41,336 kg
 
Batteries – 72  kg

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

        Aluminum – 718 kg
        Co-mingled* - 11,594 kg
        Office Paper – 2,507 kg
        Cardboard – 23,580 kg
        Glass – 5,623 kg
        Books - 725

Total for 2018 – 352,077 kg
Total for 2017 – 310,722 kg
Difference – +41,355 kg

 
Batteries – 53  kg

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


Comments – The amount of commingled materials coming from households has remained static. The increase is mostly cardboard which is 37 tonnes ahead of last year. 

July total – 48,810 kg
       
        Aluminum – 732 kg
        Co-mingled* - 11,660 kg
        Office Paper – 3,982 kg
        Cardboard – 26,216 kg
        Glass – 3,697 kg
        Books -  792

Total for 2018 – 307,212 kg
Total for 2017 – 267,584 kg
Difference – +39,628 kg


E – waste –  10,241 kg
 
Batteries – 44  kg


At the current rate of recycling we will be well over our previous record of 500 tonnes in one year. In the past cardboard has been about 48% of total tonnage. This year it is 52%. 

June total – 46,496 kg
       
        Co-mingled* - 13,746 kg
        Office Paper – 3,215 kg
        Cardboard – 24,869 kg
        Glass – 3,697 kg
        Books -  723

Total for 2018 – 258,402 kg
Total for 2017 – 223,059 kg
Difference – +35,343 kg
 
Batteries – 66 kg

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


Comments – We are on track to beat our annual high of 500 tonnes. Last year's total was 463 tonnes. We are two short of 500 if you add the 35 we are ahead to 463. So if we only recycle the same as last year from here on, (plus 2 tonnes) we will make it. I predict a new high this year. 

There are serious challenges in the market. Our cost of having the commingled materials sorted in Winnipeg is increasing from $45/tonne to $110/tonne August 1. 

May total – 49,043 kg
       
        Co-mingled* - 15,518 kg
        Office Paper – 3,173 kg
        Cardboard – 26,198 kg
        Glass – 3,488 kg
        Books -  909

Total for 2018 – 211,906 kg
Total for 2017 – 183,562 kg
Difference – +28,344 kg

 
Batteries – 59 kg

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


Comments –  May is the month people bring all the recyclables they have collected over the winter. This is reflected in the commingled tonnage which is 3,600 kg more than last month. 

We are ahead of last year by 28 tonnes. At this rate we will set a new record for tonnes per year in 2018.  The current record is 500 tonnes set in 2007 when our community was larger and we offered basically free curbside pickup. 

April total – 49,050 kg
       
        Commingled* - 11,905 kg
        Office Paper – 3,173 kg
        Cardboard – 28,538 kg
        Glass – 4,440 kg
        Books -  994

Total for 2018 – 162,863 kg
Total for 2017 – 140,760 kg
Difference – +22,103 kg

* Commingled is unsorted materials sent to Winnipeg for sorting


Comments – The big difference this month is corrugated cardboard. There was a lot from the Coop store. We also picked up 9 bales at Canadian Tire. Overall, commingled materials are the same as last year and cardboard is 20 tonnes ahead.