Many residents of the North Island have likely been hearing bits and pieces about upcoming changes to recycling. Unlike many rumours that we encounter every day, these are based on fact.
Starting May 19, 2014, Provincial legislation mandates that manufacturers and retailers must be responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products’ packaging and printed paper components. Prior to this change in responsibility, local governments — and hence, their taxpayers — covered all these costs. To meet these responsibilities, the retailers and manufacturers have formed a non-profit entity called Multi Material BC (MMBC) to deliver these services through local governments and contractors.
Getting past the background, what does this mean to North Islanders?
The biggest change will be in Port Hardy, Port McNeill and Coal Harbour, where a curbside collection service for certain types of recyclables will start May 19. In the new collection system, garbage will be collected every other week and on alternative weeks, recyclables will be collected. It is a significant change but experience from Malcolm Island, where garbage collection is every two weeks, shows households can make it work.
Another benefit beyond the convenience of getting your recyclables collected at your curbside will be less sorting as materials that previously had to be separated can now be collected in one stream.
This is just the first of a series of articles that will guide North Islanders through the coming changes in the next couple of months. The Regional District is also in the process of setting up a new recycling web page to provide easily accessible information. You will need to be patient as it is in its infancy stage, just like the new recycling services.
If you have any questions, please email me at info@rdmw.bc.ca and I will attempt to reply back as soon as possible. Next week I will attempt to explain “Upcoming Plastic Packaging Recycling Opportunities”. Have a great weekend.
Patrick Donaghy
Operations Manager
Regional District of Mount Waddington