By Andrew de Souza

Region recycling more and more

Jan 27, 2011 | 5:09 AM

The region has reached an important benchmark for diverting recyclable materials from the waste stream.

On Tuesday, the city announced that the North Central Waste Management Corporation had reached its goal of diverting 4,000 tonnes of paper products per year from the landfill, a goal first set in 2003.

City councillor and North Central Waste Management Corporation member Martin Ring said reaching the goal took many years and different initiatives.

“In the past all paper products just automatically went into our garbage and to the landfill,” said Ring.

“Now we’re looking to diverting that product from the landfill through the corporation. The product is then turned over and sold for recycling.”

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Ring said it’s a significant reduction for the landfill. According to the city approximately 33,000 tonnes is sent to the landfill. That means more than 13 per cent is diverted to recycling.

“Socially, it’s the right thing to do,” said Ring. “If we can increase the lifespan of our landfill through this effort, it’s good because the landfill comes at cost as well.”

Still work to be done

Ring said now that the goal has been reached, the corporation will continue to advocate for higher and higher diversion rates. As well, he said the city and the corporation would be investigating new initiatives to include other materials into the recycling stream.

“I would like us to set higher goals,” he said. “Are we going to look at possibly reducing or removing plastics from the landfill? That might be the next step but we’re going to have to review how we’re going to get there.”

Ring said not only was there the desire to add more products to the recycling stream, but also the desire to maintain the integrity of the current paper stream.

According to the corporation between six and seven per cent of all paper sent to recycling facilities must be sent to the landfill due to contamination.

adesouza@panow.com