Thunder Bay to Implement Automated Recycling Collection System This Summer
Exciting Changes Coming to Thunder Bay’s Curbside Recycling Program this Summer
Residents of the City of Thunder Bay will experience significant changes to their curbside recycling program starting July 1. Transitioning to an automated recycling collection system, residents will now utilize wheeled, 360-litre bins for recyclable materials, rendering blue bags obsolete.
According to Jason Sherband, the city’s manager of solid waste and recycling services, every household in Thunder Bay will receive one of these recycling bins at no expense. Distribution is slated to commence the week of May 5 and extend through June. However, Sherband emphasizes that the bins cannot be utilized for recycling until July 1.
“The unique thing about these is that they are what we call a split-body bin. So, a divider straight down the middle — you can put your containers on one side, your paper products on the other.”
However, Sherband said, there will be a limit on the number of items that can be recycled with the new bins.
“If you’ve got excess cardboard that can’t fit in, you can twine it and tie it and put it beside the bin.”
In case a household possesses surplus containers, these will not be picked up until the subsequent recycling collection date, adhering to the existing bi-weekly schedule.
This adjustment stems from a modification in provincial regulations, transferring the accountability for municipal recycling programs in Ontario to the producers of paper products and packaging under the Enhanced Producer Responsibility Program. Consequently, effective July 1, the city will cease to bear “operational or financial” responsibility for residential recycling.
Jason Sherband highlighted that the shift in recycling collection marks the commencement of a series of substantial alterations to waste management in Thunder Bay. “We are transitioning to automated carts for garbage in the near future,” Sherband stated. “Additionally, we will introduce a food and organic waste, or green bin, program.” He added that green bin collection will also be automated.
