By Ian Holmes

Nanaimo’s recycling culture remains strong despite NRE closure, officials say

Apr 26, 2019 | 2:54 PM

NANAIMO — The sky is not falling more than one year after the popular non-profit Nanaimo Recycling Exchange (NRE) shut its doors.

That’s the message from the City of Nanaimo and private depot operators tracking local waste diversion trends.

The City’s manager of sanitation, recycling and public works David Thompson said their curbside collection service saw a minor increase in volume over the past year.

Thompson said interestingly, the amount of garbage crews picked up dropped over that time.

“The depot programs, regardless of the Nanaimo Recycling Exchange being operational or not, remain strong. There are lots of options for residents who have materials.”

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Thompson said adding collection of light yard trimmings during the automated collection roll-out was part of an ongoing shift to reach ambitious regional waste diversion goals.

Thompson said he hasn’t noticed an increase in illegal dumping in the city as a result of the NRE’s departure.

“A lot of people were just confused about what the other options were after the NRE closed and I think the rest of the depots have really stepped up their game,” Thompson said.

Craig Cookman, general manager of Milner Group, said their organization and several other local disposal operators experienced noticeably more business after the NRE closed down.

“It’s been tricky, but we’ve all reacted significantly and increased capacity and our abilities to handle the additional materials coming in,” Cookman said.

He said their customers are now more aware of local private sector disposal options. He said many customers didn’t realize the NRE was taxpayer subsidized.

Staff at Regional Recycling across the street from the former NRE site on Kenworth Rd. reported to NanaimoNewsNOW a massive influx of new customers over the last year.

There are more than a dozen private depots in the Nanaimo area, offering a mix of free and charged disposal options.

Last July Nanaimo City Council denied a $6.05 million request to build the NRE a new facility.

The mid-island’s waste diversion rate is one of the lowest in Canada at about 70 per cent, according to the Regional District of Nanaimo.

The RDN’s Solid Waste Management Plan aims to keep a lofty 90 per cent of all post-use materials out of the Cedar landfill by 2027.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes