MANITOUWADGE -- Did you know that recycling just one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours? Or that each ton of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, three cubic yards of landfill space, 4,000 kilowatts of energy, and 7,000 gallons of water? This represents a 64 per cent energy savings, a 58 per cent water savings, and 60 pounds less of air pollution.
So, start gathering those cans and plastic bottles, folks. Manitouwadge’s recycling program is taking off. After a short delay, the township, in conjunction with Green for Life (GFL) Environmental Inc., is set to pick up both your garbage and your recycling on the same day.
Starting April 4, all residential recycling and garbage pickup will occur on Mondays. Recyclables must be placed into a clear or translucent blue bag. Regular garbage such as food waste, glass and other non-recyclables should continue to be put into bins and placed at the bottom of the driveway no earlier than 6 a.m. and no later than 8 a.m. to ensure pickup. There is no limit to the number of recycling bags or garbage bins allowed at this time. The Manitouwadge landfill site on the Caramat Industrial Road will accept recyclables at no charge, but there is a nominal fee for regular refuse and tires. Commercial garbage bin pickup will continue to be collected on Fridays.
In 2021, the province of Ontario announced changes to its Blue Box recycling program. The new model means that the producers of products and packaging will be responsible for the litter they create. Recycling will be mandatory for all Ontario municipalities by 2023, regardless of their size. The Manitouwadge town council states on their website that they will be in a position to take advantage of any funding and incentives that may be offered if a recycling process is already in place. This program will benefit the town by extending the usable life of the existing landfill site and there may be an increase in hours for local public works employees.
What can be recycled? Steel and aluminum cans, paper, cardboard, including drink and milk boxes, and all plastic containers with a recycling symbol stamp. All containers should be rinsed out before placing them into a clear or translucent bag.
What can’t be recycled? Styrofoam, glass, food waste, hazardous waste, scrap metal or electronic waste, tires and batteries. For some of these products, there are other alternatives for disposal. Go to the Township of Manitouwadge’s Landfill website page for further information and drop off locations.
To learn more about recycling and garbage pickup in Manitouwadge, see the Township’s website page at https://www.manitouwadge.ca/waste-collection-and-recycling-faqs/
Although everyone agrees that a recycling program is a good thing to bring into our community, the real solution to recycling and garbage is to reduce and reuse as much refuse as possible. Choices can be made when purchasing products, such as buying fewer single serving products and bringing your own reusable bags to the grocery store. Together, we can make healthy changes for the future!
