By Brittney Matejka

Recycling correctly after Christmas to limit waste

Dec 29, 2017 | 4:11 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB. – The aftermath of Christmas has left a mess of paper, boxes and bows for people to dispose of.

Randy Wong, district manager for Can Pak Environmental, said this is the busiest time of year for their recycling depots. They are collecting two tons of recyclable materials everyday after the holidays. This is double what they normally collect.

“We’ve got a lot of cardboard, box board, (and) a lot wrapping paper,” he explained. “This is all good to put into the recycle material.”

Proper disposal into the recycling depot bins by users is very important, said Edward Jollymore, solid waste utility manager for the City of Medicine Hat. Bows, ribbons and tape need to be removed from wrapping paper before it can be recycled he explained.

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“We want them to follow the directions that are on the bins,” he said. “Put the cardboard and mixed paper in the proper bins, separate the material at home before you go to the depot.”

Wong explained some items such as toy boxes or coffee cans may contain more than one recyclable material and need to be split apart before tossed into the recycling depots bins.

“If it’s not broken apart, to us we term it as garbage,” he said.

Anything recycled in black plastic bags is also deemed as garbage, said Jollymore. Placing your items into the correct bin as a loose item is best for it to be processed, he explained.

“If you do (use a bag), use a clear one,” he said. “Once it gets to the recovery facility they have to rip the bags apart and sort the plastic out.”

Jollymore said if residents can properly sort out their materials into recycling depots, they can help decrease their Christmas waste entering a landfill.