City crews are finding more unsuitable material in recycling bins.(Submitted photo/City of PA)

By Dawson Thompson

Blue Bins

City reports increase in contaminated recycle bins

Jun 12, 2021 | 8:00 AM

With yard waste season in full swing, sanitation drivers are reporting an increase in recycle bins containing yard waste and other unsuitable items.

The operations manager for the city’s Public Works department said the public should be aware of what they’re putting in the bins or it may cost them in the long run.

“The blue bins are out there to try and divert material from the landfill,” Jeff Da Silva said. “That extends the life of the landfill and ultimately saves rate payers the fees it takes to open new cells.”

Each landfill cell has a lifespan of approximately 15 to 20 years and there is currently a new cell under construction.

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Da Silva said unsuitable materials for recycling bins include things like masks, chip bags, electronics, contaminated materials like plastic containers that have too much food residue, foam cups, toys, clothing and hazardous materials. When discovered, crews try to pull the material out before it gets mixed in with the rest of the load.

“Or it ends up at our recycle depot where they need to try to attempt to separate the recyclables from the material that can’t be recycled. They end up taking a lot of recycled materials out of the load, so that material just ends up back at the landfill,” Da Silva said.

Crews will usually notify residents if they find unsuitable material in the blue bin by tagging it with some educational information, but if the problem persists, Da Silva said bylaw officials may be notified as a last resort.

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Dawson.thompson@pattisonmedia.com

On twitter: @dawsonthompson8