Don’t contaminate recycling

The Regional District and the City of Penticton are working to help people recycle better. By weight, non-acceptable materials make up approximately eight to 15 per cent of recycling collected. Residents caught by a driver placing out inappropriate materials will have their recycling left at the curb. Drivers leave a sticker explaining why their materials were left and how to get more information.

Soft plastics including any bags, pouches and sacs were banned from collection in 2014. Bags made of plastic, plastic overwrap and other soft plastics can wrap around sorting machinery.

Do not recycle durable plastics, like coat hangers, Tupperware, toys and tarps. Plastic materials that aren’t packaging should never be placed in recycling.

Other major contaminates include food waste, paper towels and batteries. Paper towels and food waste can make people sick.

Batteries caused a recycling truck fire in Penticton just last year. All batteries, electronics and appliances can be dropped off for recycling at local depots but should never be placed out in garbage or recycling.

Items should not be nested inside each other.

Tied or stuffed materials don’t break apart in the recycling stream requiring that they be thrown in the garbage.

For more information on what can go in the recycling visit www.recyclebc.ca.

Karla Kozakevich is the board chair of the Reginal District of OkanaganSimilkameen.