Chloe Zhang
There are many misconceptions about what can and cannot be recycled in Winnipeg, Manitoba. While the city has a residential recycling program funded by MMSM, a not-for-profit organization, and 93% of Manitobans have easy access to it, there are still some plastics that cannot be recycled. Number 6 plastic, or polystyrene, is often found in Styrofoam, which is not accepted for recycling in Winnipeg.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number 6 plastic recyclable in Winnipeg | No |
| Recyclable items in Winnipeg | Newspapers, plastic bottles, milk cartons, soda cans, plastic cream containers, glass jars, metal cans, cardboard boxes |
| Non-recyclable items in Winnipeg | Plastic bags, black or dark-coloured plastics, Styrofoam, single-use coffee cups, plastic lids, aluminum foil, foil pie plates, foil food containers, construction materials |
| Winnipeg recycling guidelines | Keep items loose in the bin, do not put recyclables in plastic bags, fold or crush cardboard to save space |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic bags and black or dark-coloured plastics are not recyclable
- Only 65% of materials that enter homes in Winnipeg are recycled
- Multi-family dwellings and rural areas have alternative recycling options
- Single-use coffee cup lids are not recyclable, despite the symbol
- Clean recyclables are more efficient for sorting and remaking
Plastic bags and black or dark-coloured plastics are not recyclable
Although Winnipeg has a residential recycling program, there are still some common misconceptions about what can and can't be recycled. Plastic bags and black or dark-coloured plastics are not recyclable. This is because they are difficult to sort at the plant, and they are often used to dispose of other non-recyclable waste, which can contaminate an entire load of recycling.
It is important to keep these items out of recycling bins, as they can cause otherwise recyclable materials to end up in landfills. Plastic bags are a particular issue, as they are often used to contain other recyclables, and the entire bag and its contents will be thrown out. This is a common mistake, and it is important to keep all recyclables loose in the bin.
Black or dark-coloured plastics are also not recyclable. This is a more recent change, due to new standards in China, where much of the world's recycling is processed and sorted. These plastics are difficult to sort, as they cannot be differentiated by the machines used in recycling plants. Therefore, they are often sent to landfills, along with other non-recyclable waste.
It is important to keep up with the latest information on what can and can't be recycled, as these rules do change. The City of Winnipeg provides information on its website about what is accepted in the blue bins, and this can help residents to avoid making mistakes when recycling.
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Only 65% of materials that enter homes in Winnipeg are recycled
According to a 2016 report, only 65% of materials that enter homes in Winnipeg, Manitoba, are recycled. The remaining 35% still goes to landfills, with many residents being unsure of what can be recycled. This confusion is partly due to the changing market forces that have made the familiar triangle recycling symbol on many products misleading. For instance, while the symbol indicates that Styrofoam can be recycled, it is not accepted in Winnipeg. Similarly, single-use coffee cups and their plastic lids, which often feature the recycling logo, cannot be recycled in the city. Other non-recyclable items in Winnipeg include plastic bags, black or dark-coloured plastics, and aluminum foil.
To address this issue, Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba (MMSM) launched a public education campaign called "Recycle Something New." The campaign aims to increase residents' knowledge of what materials can be recycled and divert more waste from landfills. The MMSM executive director, Karen Melnychuk, emphasized that they need to target materials with lower recovery rates, such as aseptic juice boxes, soup cartons, hard plastics, and cereal boxes.
It is important to note that about 93% of Manitobans have easy access to a residential recycling program funded by MMSM. This program is established in response to the province's 2008 Waste Reduction and Prevention Act. Additionally, the City of Winnipeg provides information on its website about what can and cannot be recycled, and there are alternative recycling options for people in multi-family dwellings or rural areas that are not fully serviced by residential pickup programs.
To improve recycling rates and reduce contamination, residents should avoid placing recyclables in plastic bags and ensure that containers are empty and clean before placing them in the recycling bin. By keeping these simple guidelines in mind and staying informed about acceptable materials, Winnipeg residents can contribute to increasing the city's recycling rate and reducing waste.
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Multi-family dwellings and rural areas have alternative recycling options
Although 93% of Manitobans have easy access to a residential recycling program, there are alternative recycling options for those in multi-family dwellings and rural areas that are not fully serviced by these programs. The Brady 4R Winnipeg Depot and other locations in Winnipeg and throughout Manitoba provide recycling opportunities for those who are not served by residential pickup programs. These locations also cater to residents with excess materials that may not fit in their bins or carts at home.
When using these alternative recycling services, it is important to keep some key points in mind. Firstly, do not put your recyclables in plastic bags; keep them loose in the bin. This saves time and effort at the sorting plant. Secondly, do not stuff cans into boxes or paper bags; ensure that all items are loose. Thirdly, do not remove lids or labels from containers, and ensure that the containers are empty. Rinsing containers is suggested, but it is not necessary to scrub them; just make sure they are empty before placing them in the bin. Finally, fold or crush cardboard to save space in your bin.
It is also important to be aware of which materials can and cannot be recycled. For example, many single-use coffee cups and their plastic lids are not recyclable in Winnipeg, even if they have the distinct recycling symbol on them. Styrofoam is another example of a material that cannot be recycled in Winnipeg, despite often having the triangle with the "No. 6" recycling symbol. Other non-recyclable items include plastic bags, black or dark-coloured plastics, aluminum foil, foil pie plates, and foil food containers.
On the other hand, materials that can be recycled include newspapers, plastic bottles, milk cartons, soda cans, plastic cream containers, glass jars, and metal cans. It is important to ensure that these items are clean before placing them in the recycling bin.
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Single-use coffee cup lids are not recyclable, despite the symbol
Single-use coffee cup lids with the recycling symbol are not recyclable in Winnipeg. This is because the symbol is misleading, and not every number is recyclable. In Winnipeg, only hard plastics with the numbers 1 and 2, such as soda, shampoo, and laundry detergent bottles, have the most consistent recycling markets. Numbers 3 through 7 include a lot of soft plastics, like clamshell containers, coffee cup lids, and other single-use coffee cups, and present greater difficulty.
In general, plastic bottles labelled with recycling numbers 1 and 2, including items such as soda, water bottles, and milk jugs, are accepted across the US. Beyond that, it's less assured, and you should check with your local recycling facility. Single-use coffee cups, such as those from Starbucks, pose a number of environmental and logistical problems for governments and local authorities because they are hard to recycle. They are made of paper, but they are not just paper. Things have been added to make them liquid and temperature-proof. This creates a massive disposal challenge as not many facilities can remove the plastic lining and recycle the component materials.
The billions of single-use coffee cups discarded each year are a classic example: a thin plastic coating inside the cup may prevent leakage, but it is extremely difficult to separate it from the paper cup itself. That means the cups can't be recycled as paper or plastic. Their ultimate destination is usually the landfill. Coffee cup lids don't fare much better—due to the low quality of the plastic, they aren't particularly attractive to buyers of second-hand plastic, and they tend to fragment into small, unusable pieces. Some curbside programs recommend putting them straight into the trash bin.
In Winnipeg, the new Brady 4R Depot and other locations provide another recycling opportunity for people who live in multi-family dwellings and rural areas that are not fully serviced by residential pickup programs. They are also a great alternative for residents with excess materials that may not fit in their cart or bin at home. However, it is important to note that single-use coffee cup lids, despite having the distinct recycling symbol, are not recyclable in Winnipeg.
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Clean recyclables are more efficient for sorting and remaking
In Winnipeg, Manitoba, residents are encouraged to rinse out their recyclables before placing them in the blue bin. This is because clean recyclables are more efficient for sorting and remaking. While a small amount of residue won't disrupt the recycling process, it is important to strike a balance. Containers should be reasonably clean, but a hint of residue won't contaminate the load.
Recycling facilities have conveyor belts where materials slowly move past workers who pick out anything that doesn't belong. The more items that end up in the wrong waste stream, the more time employees have to spend sorting the recycling, which wastes resources. In addition, misplaced items can further slow things down by getting jammed in the machines. For example, plastic bags can jam up machines, wasting time. Not only is this inefficient, but it could also result in items ending up in the wrong recycling room or even the wrong facility.
Clean recyclables also contribute to a healthier recycling stream. Spoiled food attracts insects, bees, and rodents, while spilled detergent is slippery and can lead to slips and falls. By rinsing containers, residents can play a vital role in keeping the recycling sorting process efficient and safe for workers.
In Winnipeg, newspapers, plastic bottles, milk cartons, soda cans, plastic cream containers, glass jars, and metal cans are all recyclable. However, some common items that are wrongly placed in recycling bins include Styrofoam, foil, plastic bags, and black or dark-coloured plastics. It's important for residents to follow the guidelines provided by their municipality or recycling company to ensure their waste is actually recycled.
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Frequently asked questions
No, #6 plastic, commonly found in Styrofoam, is not recyclable in Winnipeg. Even if it has the distinct recycling symbol, it does not mean it can be recycled in Winnipeg.
Plastics #4, #5, and #7 can be recycled in Winnipeg. This includes household plastic containers, margarine containers, yogurt cups, hard plastic containers, and some beverage supplement bottles.
Some common items that are wrongly placed in recycling bins in Winnipeg include Styrofoam, foil, plastic bags, and black or dark-colored plastics. It is important to note that not all items with the recycling symbol can be recycled in Winnipeg.
In addition to plastics #4, #5, and #7, Winnipeg recycles newspapers, plastic bottles, milk cartons, soda cans, plastic cream containers, glass jars, and metal cans. It is important to keep these items loose in the bin and not put them in plastic bags.
