Gander charity sees 16 per cent drop, since town started curbside recycling

A non-profit group in Gander that collects recyclables to help employ people living with disabilities, says the town's new curbside recycling plan is eating into its revenue.

Central Newfoundland Waste Management began its recycling program in Gander several months ago.

Broadening Horizons says since March, the organization has seen a 16 per cent drop in the number of cans and bottles it collects.

Keith Loveys, supervisor of the group's recycling program, told CBC Radio's Central Morning he hopes things will improve. 

"It could get better if we could continue to encourage people to put their stuff in the clear bag, and work closer with our drivers to make sure that they would leave them on the curb here for us to process here locally," he said. 

"It is important to us because we do provide work. Our primary mandate is [to] provide work for people with disabilities." 

Loveys said Broadening Horizons has been collecting recyclables for its program for 10 years. 

The group provides curbside collection of beverage containers, paper products and cardboard to residents of Gander, as well as commercial paper/cardboard collection for the local business community.