By Dan Marshall

Recycling habits improving as city takes action to avoid possible fine

Feb 5, 2017 | 8:01 AM

NANAIMO — Keeping film plastics and other problem items out of yellow recycling bags is a priority for the city of Nanaimo.

In September, Multi-Material BC told the city the number of items being mistakenly put in those bags was on the rise.

Nanaimo’s sanitation and recycling manager Charlotte Davis says the contamination levels had been as high as 14 per cent and that number needs to be down to three per cent.

Through the city’s action plan, the rate has dropped to 10 per cent, Davis said.

The action plan brought in by the city included auditors going out and looking in yellow bags. They left stickers on bags with prohibited items inside and gave residents information on how they could improve their habits.

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In some cases non-compliant bags are being left behind at the curbside as the city looks to bring the contamination numbers down and reduce the risk of incurring a fine from MMBC.

Davis says Multi-Material BC has the authority to fine the city of Nanaimo up to $120,000 for anything over three per cent contamination.

“I’ve spoken with MMBC and they’re pleased with our progress, so what we’ve done is submitted a written document. It’s our communications plan on how we’re going to tackle this issue.”

She notes that improper items in yellow bag recycling can result in entire loads having to be taken to the dump.

Davis said the unwanted items turning up most are plastic bags and other film plastics. There is a learning curve because the city used to accept film plastics in the yellow bag but the province doesn’t allow that anymore.

“There’s a lot of that right now in all of the products that we purchase and I think it’s hard for residents to understand that it’s not recyclable at the curbside. If you want to recycle that you have to take it to the depot,” said Davis.

There’s information for residents on schedules and recycling guidelines online at nanaimo.ca in the garbage and recycling section.

dan.marshall@jpbg.ca