Maya Ellison
Plastic waste is a pressing global issue, and recycling is one way to fight climate change. In Canada, 30% to 50% of household waste is recycled, and Nova Scotia has taken steps to improve its recycling processes. While China's decision to stop accepting recyclables impacted Halifax's recycling program, the city has since found new markets for its film plastics. Additionally, with the Deposit-Refund Program for Beverage Containers, Nova Scotia has contributed to the economy while reducing landfill waste and creating jobs. However, the province is facing challenges in recycling certain types of plastics, such as plastic cutlery, which is still not accepted in recycling programs like HRM Recycling in Halifax.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic Cutlery Recyclability in Nova Scotia | Not recyclable |
| Plastic Bags in Nova Scotia | Banned |
| Plastic Recycling in Halifax | Accepted by Goodwood Plastic Products Ltd. and other markets in Canada |
| Plastic Recycling in Nova Scotia | Accepted by Sustane Technologies |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic cutlery is not accepted in blue bags for recycling
While plastic cutlery is not accepted in blue bags for recycling, there are other ways to recycle plastic items in Nova Scotia. The province has various municipal waste collection programs that allow residents to recycle plastics, paper, metal, glass, household hazardous waste, and organic materials.
It is important to note that recycling sorting guidelines differ across the province. Therefore, it is recommended to check your municipality's sort guide or download a waste app for specific instructions. For example, in Halifax, HRM Recycling now accepts all plastic containers in blue bags, which has simplified the recycling process for residents. However, non-container plastics, such as bottle caps, toys, DVD cases, plastic cutlery, straws, pipes, and packaging made of combined plastic and paper, are still not accepted.
The Deposit-Refund Program for Beverage Containers, implemented in 1996, also contributes to recycling efforts in Nova Scotia. This program applies to all ready-to-serve beverages, with certain exceptions like milk, soy milk, and specific dietary products. Additionally, Nova Scotia has taken steps to reduce single-use plastics, such as banning plastic bags.
To address the challenges of plastic recycling, companies like Sustane Technologies in Nova Scotia are developing innovative solutions. They are working to recycle diesel fuel back into plastic and have signed an agreement with the Municipality of Chester to utilise their garbage supply. This demonstrates a commitment to finding sustainable alternatives to landfill disposal.
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Plastic bags have been banned in Nova Scotia
The ban applies to all businesses in Nova Scotia, from grocery stores to restaurants, convenience stores, and clothing stores. Businesses can choose to offer paper or reusable bags to customers, for a fee or free of charge, or they can simply encourage customers to bring their own bags. Paper bags made from at least 40% post-consumer recycled paper are recommended.
The aim of the ban is to encourage waste reduction and help keep plastic out of the environment and landfills. While there are some exemptions to the ban, such as bags for loose bulk items or unwrapped food, it is hoped that the measure will significantly reduce the number of plastic bags in use in Nova Scotia.
The Plastic Bags Reduction Act is part of a wider movement to reduce single-use plastics in Nova Scotia. For example, the Deposit-Refund Program for Beverage Containers, which came into effect on 1 April 1996, applies to all ready-to-serve beverages. Additionally, the municipal council's environment committee has proposed a motion to eliminate the distribution of single-use plastic bags in the province's ten largest municipalities.
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Plastic cutlery is being turned into synthetic lumber
In Nova Scotia, plastics, paper, metal, glass, household hazardous waste, and organic materials can be recycled through municipal waste collection programs. Beverage containers, tires, textiles, paint cans, and electronics can be recycled through stewardship programs. While recycling guidelines differ across the province, it is recommended to check your municipality's sort guide, as most also have a waste app that can be downloaded. For example, HRM Recycling in Halifax accepts all plastic containers in blue bags, but non-container plastics such as bottle caps, toys, DVD cases, plastic cutlery, and straws are still not accepted.
While plastic cutlery is not yet accepted in Nova Scotia's recycling programs, the material is being innovatively recycled and turned into synthetic lumber by a Canadian company, Goodwood Plastic Products Ltd. This company recycles up to 80% of Halifax's municipal plastic waste, turning it into building blocks that can be used just like wooden lumber. The remaining 20% of recyclables are sent to other Canadian recycling markets to be turned into new plastic products. Synthetic lumber made from plastic waste has been used to construct park benches, picnic tables, guardrail posts, and agriculture posts. It can be nailed, drilled, glued, and handled in the same way as wood but lasts much longer before deteriorating.
The concept of recycled plastic lumber was invented by Thomas Nosker, an assistant research professor at Rutgers University, along with his graduate student, Richard W. Renfree. They combined recycled HDPE with polystyrene from old Big Mac containers to create a strong, interlocking material. This structural plastic lumber is mostly polyethylene reinforced with stiffer plastics or recycled composites like car bumpers, providing a non-toxic alternative to wood, which often contains preservatives that can leach into the soil and water.
The use of recycled plastic lumber has expanded beyond picnic tables and park benches. It is now being used to build bridges, docks, parking lot stops, and railway ties, with about 1.5 million railway ties made from this material in the US alone, keeping approximately 300 million pounds of plastic out of landfills and away from marine life.
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Plastic bags and plastic wrap were degrading in storage
In Nova Scotia, plastic cutlery is not accepted in recycling programs. However, plastic containers are now accepted in blue bags by HRM Recycling in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Deposit-Refund Program for Beverage Containers, which came into effect on April 1, 1996, also includes plastic containers.
The improper disposal of plastic bags and wraps can have detrimental effects on the environment. When excess bags and wraps are wasted, buried in landfills, or littered in natural areas, they can clog gutters and sewer grates, endanger animals that mistake them for food, and accumulate in trees and fences, causing an eyesore. Furthermore, plastic bags can interfere with proper moisture distribution and drainage in landfills, leading to additional environmental concerns.
Recycling plastic bags and wraps can help lessen these negative impacts and promote the continued use of these materials in a beneficial way. However, it is important to note that not all plastic bags and wraps are recyclable. Non-recyclable plastic wraps include those that contained frozen food, pre-washed salad mixes, and bags labeled as degradable. Wet or dirty plastic bags and wraps should also not be recycled, as they can disrupt the recycling process and pose dangers to workers.
To determine if plastic bags or wraps are recyclable, individuals can check with their local stores or recycling programs. By properly disposing of these materials and reducing their use, we can all play a part in fighting climate change and creating a healthier environment for our communities.
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Plastic cutlery is among the single-use plastics to be banned by the end of 2021
Plastic cutlery is one of the six single-use plastics that Ottawa has announced will be banned by the end of 2021. This is part of a wider effort to reduce plastic waste and encourage recycling. While some municipalities in Nova Scotia have made efforts to recycle plastics, the province has faced challenges in recent years due to China's decision to stop accepting recyclables.
Previously, Nova Scotia had to send recyclables to China, but now the province is exploring alternative solutions, such as the use of pyrolysis to turn plastic back into diesel oil. This process involves heating the plastic without burning it, creating a clean product with limited environmental impact.
In 2020, it was reported that about 80% of municipal plastics in Halifax were being recycled at Goodwood Plastic Products Ltd, with the remaining 20% shipped to other markets in Canada for the creation of new plastic products. However, this arrangement may not be a long-term solution, as Goodwood itself faced challenges finding new markets for recycled plastic in 2017 when China stopped accepting these materials.
Despite these challenges, Nova Scotia has shown a commitment to reducing plastic waste. For example, the province has already banned plastic bags, and the Deposit-Refund Program for Beverage Containers, implemented in 1996, has contributed significantly to the economy while reducing landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
The ban on single-use plastic cutlery by the end of 2021 is a significant step forward in Nova Scotia's journey towards reducing plastic waste and encouraging recycling.
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Frequently asked questions
No, plastic cutlery is not recyclable in Nova Scotia. However, HRM Recycling in Halifax now accepts all plastic containers in blue bags.
In general, plastics, paper, metal, glass, household hazardous waste, and organic materials can be recycled through a municipality's waste collection programs. In 2020, it was reported that about 80% of municipal plastics in Halifax were being recycled at Goodwood Plastic Products Ltd and turned into products like synthetic lumber.
Although plastic cutlery cannot be recycled, it can be reused or repurposed. For example, you could wash and reuse plastic cutlery instead of throwing it away after a single use. Alternatively, companies like Sustane Technologies in Nova Scotia are working on innovative ways to turn plastic waste into valuable, clean products, such as diesel fuel.
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