Items piled up outside Diabetes Canada bins in Nanaimo late last week. Most of the mess has since been cleaned up. (Kirsten Gellein)

By Ian Holmes

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People in Nanaimo told to adjust donation & recycling habits

Apr 15, 2020 | 12:34 PM

NANAIMO — While it’s business as usual for curbside collection and recycling depots, the landscape for certain post-use products has been adjusted.

Recent images of overflowing Diabetes Canada donation bins across the country, including Nanaimo, led to a response from the non-profit organization.

Diabetes Canada said their unattended donation bins are in some cases being used as a dumping ground.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and crucial physical distancing orders by governments that non-essential services be stopped, the pick-up of all textile donations by Diabetes Canada from homes and donation bins across Canada stopped on March 23,” the statement said.

Pictures taken late last week of Diabetes Canada clothing donation bins on Departure Bay Rd. near Norwell Dr. showed clothing and other items piling up on the ground.

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The statement added in some cases garbage dumped among donated clothing “is posing a serious health and safety threat.”

Furniture, clothing and household items are not accepted at the three closed Salvation Army stores in Nanaimo.

The Habitat for Humanity Restore in Nanaimo is also closed for the time being.

As for recycling, City of Nanaimo’s zero waste coordinator Kirsten Gellein recommends people hold off trips to depots to complete spring cleaning chores.

“They’re trying to find how to dispose of those and essential service waste facilities are already under quite a bit of pressure with the COVID-19 impacts on everything,” Gallein told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Nanaimo’s numerous private recycling depots are open with social distancing and extra sanitation measures in place.

Gellein said some depots are operating with restricted hours and asks people to phone ahead.

Waste and recycling collection, processing, and disposal are included in the province’s list of COVID-19 essential services.

Gallein said the heightened health risk illuminates the importance of ensuring certain items stay out of organic recycling bins.

“We have never allowed for used Kleenex, personal hygiene products, disposable wipes, face masks, gloves, items like that to go in there. Those are garbage only items.”

She said personal hygiene items in households with sick occupants should be securely doubled-bagged.

Regional District of Nanaimo solid waste manager Larry Gardner said he’s noticed people seem to be altering their recycling routine.

“Our community has been very supportive so far in adjusting how they deal with their recyclables and waste such as storing materials and reducing trips to depots and waste facilities,” Gardner said.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes