Market changes result in change to City plastic recycling program

The City of Swift Current’s Recycling Depot has put a stop on accepting certain plastic products because of a lack of market for these recycled items.

At the July 29 Swift Current City Council meeting, council heard that the Recycling Depot is no longer accepting items like plastic bags and hard plastics without a recycle number because of the lack of a market for these items.

Mitch Minken, City of Swift Current General Manager of Infrastructure and Operations, said a series of factors have recently impacted their plastic recycling decisions.

“As you’ve no doubt heard, plastics are becoming a real problem for the recycling industry. There’s no market and no use, no recycling use, for a few items,” Minken explained.

Since July the city’s Recycling Depot has not been collecting plastic films and plastic bags, hard plastics without a recycle number, plus plastics in the PETE #1 category (Polyethylene terephthalate).

“Our recycling vendor has informed us that they’re no longer going to be accepting these items because they have no place to go.”

He explained that this decision currently impacts only one specific recycle symbols.

“We are accepting all 2’s, 3’s, 4’s, 5’s and 7’s. We’re not accepting 1’s and 6’s at this time. Six has never really been accepted, that’s basically styrofoam. That’s never been a recyclable product, so that’s nothing new.”

He added that a change has also ended their glass recycling program.

“We’re not accepting glass. There is no use for glass at this time as well.”

“At this time we have been stockpiling for quite a long time at our landfill, and I know other landfills are stockpiling, but at this time there is no use for it.”

Minken further explained that Swift Current residents do have ample ways to be greener by taking advantage of the numerous other recycling opportunities offered in the community.

“There are many options, and I would encourage anyone that’s wondering about where we’re at with recycling to please visit our website. There’s a wealth of information on our website about the items we do recycle, and the other recycling options that are available within our City.”

He reminded the public that SARCAN is a great place to recycle any container that requires a deposit. SARCAN also takes certain types of paint along with certain electronics. Old cellphones can be recycled though Staples or Sasktel. Used oil, antifreeze and oil filters an containers can be delivered to an eco centre at Tune-a-matic. Local pharmacies all take expired pharmaceuticals. Additionally, local steel recyclers take appliances and other steel products.

He noted they currently hold a once a year Household Hazardous Waste Day, where a variety of hazardous items can be disposed there. They are exploring the option of hosting this twice a year.

And while there are many waste reduction strategies, he encouraged people to start utilizing reusable grocery bags.

“Please encourage everyone to get your reusable grocery bags and save us from having to put those products in our landfill.”