Manitoba is reviewing provincial recycling and waste diversion programs. A survey of Manitobans between January 21 and February 10, 2021. 1052 people completed the survey.
The results showed that people were not confident about three things.
First, they were unsure what can be recycled. Second was not knowing how to prepare or clean items. Third was a lack of confidence that items collected are actually being recycled.
Here is a look at each of these concerns.
- Information about what is recyclable is made available in a variety of ways: on the website, www.flinflonrecycling.org, on the Flin Flon Recycling Facebook group, and in a flier mailed to all homes in our communities and available from the Recycling Centre, a roadside sign, radio announcements and this newspaper column. Centre staff are always willing to answer questions by telephone at (204) 687-6169 or by emailing recycled@mymts.net .
2. Recyclables should not be drippy, sticky or gooey. Drink containers should be well drained. Food should be removed from containers. A quick rinse may be enough. Others need to be washed.
3. The Recycling Centre has checked the companies that receive our materials in Winnipeg and is confident that all the items collected locally are recycled. These companies sort and sell them to mills in Minnesota and Eastern Canada and the US. They pay the Recycling Centre more for cardboard, aluminum and office paper than the tipping fees they would be charged at landfills.
There are two exceptions. Glass is crushed and used to replace cover material at the landfill. Non-recyclable items, items that are too dirty and paper items that get wet because the containers in the bag were not empty also go to the landfill.