The City of Wrenford is reminding residents that contamination in the Blue bin and recycling collection has reached record levels. As of June 12, 2025, recycling crews are turning around trucks in several neighbourhoods because bins are overloaded with garbage, food waste, and plastic bags.
Under the city's waste diversion rules, all residents must separate their recyclables from garbage and organics. When a Blue bin is too contaminated to process, it is tagged with an orange notice and left curbside. Repeated violations can lead to penalty notices under the Waste management bylaw and regulations.
"What we are seeing is not a lack of interest, but a lack of clarity," says Ben Achterberg, the City's Waste Programs Supervisor. "When people put greasy pizza boxes, coffee cups, or full garbage bags into the Blue bin, it ruins the entire load. We want to make sure every bottle, can, and sheet of paper actually gets recycled."
To help keep the system working, residents should follow these simple rules:
- Empty containers of food and liquid into the Green bin and organics collection or garbage before recycling.
- Flatten cardboard and place it in the bin on its side.
- Do not bag recyclables. Everything must be loose.
- Check the Waste Wizard online tool to see if an item is accepted.
- If a Blue bin is tagged, remove the contaminated items and place them in the garbage or at a recycling depot before the next collection.
For multi-unit buildings, property managers should ensure tenants have clear signage and access to the multi-family recycling program. The City's Waste Wise Ambassadors are also available to help with building-wide education.
Residents who need a replacement Blue bin, want to report a missed collection, or have questions about sorting can visit the Garbage & Recycling page or call 519-555-0100.