Thunder Bay council to review recycling improvements

Thunder Bay city council gets a first look Monday night at a new plan to improve recycling and garbage collection.

City staff propose expanding the recycling program, more leaf and yard waste pick-up days, and improvements to hazardous waste collection.

Jason Sherband, the co-ordinator of waste diversion for the city said the goal is simple: To reduce the amount of waste that ends up at the landfill and recovering those items that are valuable resources.

He said the plan identifies ways Thunder Bay can enhance its existing recycling programs.

City staff is expected to bring a final report to council in April. In June, administration will present options for financing any improvements.

The report follows a recommendationmade by council in 2011 for city staff to look into ways to expand the waste management program.

Mixed plastics 'front-and-centre'

After a series of public consultations on the issue were held, the main requests from the public werean expanded recycling program, increased leaf and yard waste collection,bulky waste collection, and enhancing the recycling depots.

"We heard throughout the consultation process that people want to be able to recycle more, meaning those mixed plastics, so that's front-and-centre, Sherband said.

Currently people inThunder Bay can only recycle No.1- and No.2-type plastics with long necks and twist-off tops, such as drink and soap bottles.

"People are frustrated [by] the fact that they [arent] able to recycle more plastics, Sheband added.

If all the proposed measures are implemented, the lifespan of the city`s landfill would increase by 6 years, the report states.

Currently Thunder Bays landfill is expected to reach capacity in 2035.

Live Thunder Bay city council coverage from the CBC's Jeff Walters below.

Mobile users can click here:

http://live.cbc.ca/Event/City_Council_February_3_2014