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Plastic bags, glass and Styrofoam are not accepted in curbside recycling

City encourages residents to take these items to the recycling depots

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed November 9, 2016 10:00 AM

Summary

The City would like to encourage residents to take their plastic bags, glass and Styrofoam to recycling depots. These items are not accepted in curbside recycling because they need to be handled separately from other receycleable items.

The City would also like to remind residents that it’s just as important to recycle at the depot as it is to recycle at the curb. There are four depots in Nanaimo:

  • The Nanaimo Recycling Exchange on Kenworth Road (open Mon-Sun 7.00-5.00),
  • Regional Recycling on Hayes Road and Old Victoria Road (open Mon-Sat 8.30-5.30 and Sun 10.00-4.00)
  • Alpine Disposal on McGarrigle Road (open 8.00-4.30)
  • Additionally, many grocery stores will also recycle used grocery bags.

Link to Strategic Plan: Environmental Responsibility: Protecting and enhancing Nanaimo’s environment.

Key Points

  • Depots are very important in the fight against waste because our landfill has a limited life span.
  • Depots are free and easy to use. One tip is to save up all your depot items and then take them to the depot once a month or so. You will save space in your garbage can, save the environment and save your self money in terms of garbage tip fees and extra garbage tags.
  • The Nanaimo Recycling Exchange is a zero waste depot. It's very easy to add the 3 items (glass, Styrofoam and plastic bags) to materials that you already bring to the NRE. Don’t forget Zero Waste means you can recycle bubble wrap and zip seal bags, books and clothing, as well as your light bulbs and batteries.
  • Did you know that if everyone used depots and curbside recycling & organic waste bins to their fullest, we could easily divert over 95% of all waste! We currently divert about 64% of waste through the curbside.

Quotes

"Since I launched the action plan to reduce contamination I have heard from residents and the Nanaimo Recycling Exchange because they are concerned the City is promoting that people send recycleable materials to the landfill. I would like to clarify the City's stance on this matter. The City encourages use of depots because they help residents slim their bin and reduce waste going to landfill. The City would like to remind residents that putting a recycleable item in your garbage is not a solution; it is an absolute last resort."

Charlotte Davis
Manager of Sanitation and Recycling
City of Nanaimo

"MMBC was designed to maximize recycling. To be successful at recycling, some products have to be kept separate from others. Thats why the NRE collects some materials and the City collects different materials; it’s like a partnership to get the best and cleanest results. That’s what maximizes recycling. Nanaimo residents have an outstanding reputation for our efforts to recycle, and I hope we keep it up. I hope we can improve every year.""

Jan Hastings
Executive Director
Nanaimo Recycling Exchange

Quick Facts

  • The most common types of contamination in curbside recycling are plastic bags, styrofoam, and glass. These items are acceptable free of charge at recycling depots.
  • Plastic bags, styrofoam and glass can only be recycled through the depot because they have to be handled separately from other items. This is because plastic bags become tangled in the sorting machinery at the depot and glass and sytrofoam break into small pieces when put in a curbside recycling truck.
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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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