Reducing common contaminants from entering the recycling stream is the goal of a joint project between the City of Penticton and a local apartment complex.
It is hoped that signage placed near the recycling bins at Athens Creek Towers will better educate people about what should, and most importantly, should not be placed in the containers.
The new signage features easy to distinguish images of common materials acceptable for recycling in the residential program, alongside tips on how to prepare the packaging before placing it in the bin.
Also shown are common materials that are prohibited in the residential stream, such as electronics, furniture, black garbage bags and clothing.
“Partnerships between the City and multifamily buildings are effective in lowering the contamination rate of recyclable materials,” said community sustainability coordinator, David Kassian in a city news release. “Working together to develop educational signage and tools will help residents to better understand what is, and what is not, recyclable from their home.”
According to vice-president of Athens Creek Towers, Lawrence Godby the city helped extensively with the complex’s recycling program by providing educational material which was shared with residents and student auditing in the summer of bin contents.
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“The results of which we shared with our residents to highlight the problems we were having, and provided the design for the recycling bin sign we had made locally for a very reasonable price,” said Godby in the release. “Together, all of these efforts have substantially reduced the amount of inappropriate materials being deposited in our recycling bin.
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Similar signage and other educational materials are available for other multifamily properties looking to make a positive impact on the packaging sent for recycling. For more information on the recycle education program, please email public.works@penticton.ca, or call 250-490-2500.
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Mark Brett | Reporter
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