TIMMINS - The times are changing behind the scenes for recycling.
New Ontario legislation has companies that produce blue box materies being required to pay for and operate the provincial recycling system. The City of Timmins doesn't expect residents to notice changes in how their blue bins are collected curbside.
The dates that recycling is currently collected for residents is staying the same.
Circular Materials, a non-profit company, is responsible for having the residential items collected. It has a deal with with GFL Environmental to provide the service, and the company bought the city's recycling bins for $172,108.
“The biggest change for residents will be knowing who to call with questions or concerns related to recycling,” said Ken Krcel, director of public works and environmental services, in a news release.
“Once we have that information, we’ll add it to our website and waste management app. Putting the responsibility for recycling on the producer means greater accountability for proper recycling. It will help with landfill life cycles. The municipality and taxpayer will stop paying for the processing of blue box materials, which can have varied rates."
Eventually, more items will be able to be recycled and the list will be the same no matter where you in Ontario.
“As we work through the blue box transition, our biggest recommendation for residents is to be diligent about recycling properly,” said Krcel.
“Contamination is important to avoid, to ensure that all of your recycled items can be properly collected and processed. On the Timmins.ca website, we have a list of the current acceptable recycling products and how to recycle them properly. Remove lids and rinse out containers. Cut down and flatten cardboard. It makes a difference.”
The city will continue to offer other diversion programs for small electronics, batteries and tires.
