We are asking Wrenford residents to help us keep recycling clean by keeping the wrong items out of your blue carts. Right now, 18 per cent of the items in your blue recycling carts are not recyclables. That number is too high. We need to get that down to 6 per cent. If the contamination rate stays over 6 per cent, the City will face extra fees and fines from the recycling program operators.
'We know residents care about doing the right thing,' said Ben Achterberg, Waste Programs Supervisor. 'Simple sorting habits at home, like placing recyclables loose in the cart instead of in plastic bags, can make a big difference.'
When non-recyclable items end up in the blue carts, they can tangle up in sorting machines. This slows down operations and can force workers to throw away good recyclables.
The most common problem items we see in blue carts are:
- Plastic bags: Items like chip bags, frozen food bags, and plastic wrap must not go in the blue cart. These should be taken to a deposit refund centre or placed in the green bin if accepted.
- Foam packaging: This does not belong in the blue cart.
- Furnace filters: These must go in the green bin or regular garbage, not the blue cart.
By sorting correctly, you help keep the recycling program running smoothly and avoid extra costs for the City. You can find a full list of what goes in your blue bin on the Blue bin and recycling collection page.
For more information, contact the City Services team at 519-555-0100 or [email protected].