New bright yellow collection trucks are now picking up blue cart recycling in Medicine Hat. The change comes as part of a rebranding of Can-Pak Environmental after it was acquired by Ontario-based Environment 360.--NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
Some plastic from the city’s recycling programs is being stockpiled or put into the landfill as new buyers of the material are being sought, the city’s utility department announced Thursday.
Municipal waste-reduction programs across North America are struggling to manage operations as markets in Asia and mostly China begin declining shipments of mixed plastics.
The City of Medicine Hat states that the year-old blue cart pickup system is a success, though municipal officials and its recycling contractor, Environmental 360 Solutions, are seeking new buyers in the global marketplace.
Customers should continue adding plastic with a recycling number stamp (such as Nos. 1 to 7) while new vendors are explored.
Right now though, other plastics are being stockpiled, with some being diverted via the landfill.
“We understand that this is not an ideal solution and are working diligently alongside E360S for long-term solutions,” said Brad Maynes, utilities commissioner. “It is important to recognize that this is a temporary response to a complex, global market challenge over which we have little control. It is not a reflection on the success of our recycling program.”
The city’s waste management strategy is based on the “universally accepted principles of reduce, reuse, recycle and recover,” according to the release. The current situation should lead utility customers to consider their consumption for reduction, said Maynes.
“We want to thank our customers for contributing to the overall success of residential recycling and reassure them that we are committed to providing further information as changes occur,” he said.
