Recycle Overtaking Your Storage?
Friday, May 15, 2020 at 12:35PM I write on behalf of the Solid Waste Team.
It has been almost 2 months since we stopped accepting recycle items and some of you may be wondering what the future holds....when will we be back to operating as we were at the end of February? The answer is not easy...we may be a long time. There are safety concerns for community members, volunteers and employees in the way the recycle system is designed. There are threats of a second or third wave until a vaccine is approved. Will there be a market for recycled items as the world journeys into the new normal?
Knowing that no one has an indefinite amount of storage space, and an ability to have it remain clean during storage.....I thought I would update you on what I learned venturing to Bing's Creek: it was super easy.
On an essential supply run to Duncan, we stopped at Bing's, a total of 15 minutes from entry of their driveway to exit.
Most of that time was spent understanding where items were to go....and then the time it took for me to whine as we were there on a rainy day!
Here are my helpful hints to make it very easy to sort before you go! There are basically 5 sections in which to sort your standard items:
Plastic film: Grocery bags and overwrap (Type 1)
Plastic other: Zip-locks and tough bags (Type 2)
Containers: Plastic containers (clear, solid and milky, etc.), tins, tetra (milk, soup etc.)
Paper and Cardboard together
Glass jars and non-refundable bottles (lids off - they go separately)
I had no Styrofoam or aluminum.....but I am sure they were there!
Think about managing your own recycle and perhaps lend a helping hand to your neighbour. Try and transport it to Bing's or other CVRD sites. Saving it for a Thetis reopening is not recommended. Also, placing recyclables in garbage is not the way we roll, and will soon strangle our garbage volumes....so please don't!!
The TIRRA Solid Waste Team is aware of the fact you have all paid fees for recycle in your parcel tax, and we will be making adjustments for future budgets and taxation to reflect our inability to provide this service at this time.
Thank you for your understanding and your care for our solid waste handling and our environment.
Wendy Hinsperger
TIRRA President, Recycler, and Volunteer