Thunder Bay city official offers assurances about recycling at rinks and pools

The manager of solid waste and recycling services in Thunder Bay says he wants to assure people the cans and bottles they're putting in blue bins at city facilities are being recycled.

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Jason Sherband said he occasionally hears from people who are concerned that recyclables collected at city-run rinks and swimming pools are just ending up in the landfill.

"I always want to remind people that if we're putting the bins out there to have material recycled, that's the intent and that's what we're doing with it," he said.

Since 2008, the city of Thunder Bay has been investing in infrastructure to make it more convenient for people to recycle, whether they're at home, on a city trail or in a recreational facility, said Sherband.

But he does admit there may be the occasional lapse.

"It could be as simple as not all the bins that should be out, are placed out. Sometimes people just honestly forget. Sometimes you have staff turnover," said Sherband.

But another consistent problem is that people will use the recycling containers as garbage cans, he said.

"The stuff that isn't recyclable contaminates the stream. Sometimes what may happen is you have a bin in a public facility that may have more non-recyclables than recyclables and it becomes the case that that bag is unsalvageable," said Sherband.

He said he's pleased that people care enough about recycling to contact him when they have concerns.

"Somebody has a pop can, or a juice bottle. They know it's not supposed to go in the garbage and they're looking for those bins, and that's great, and I think it's positive, and certainly constructive criticism, we certainly welcome that," said Sherband.