Depot expected to open by end of year

By the end of the year, it will be easier than ever for residents of eastern Winnipeg to keep recyclable and reusable materials out of the dump.

On June 23, the City officially broke ground on a new 4R Winnipeg Depot at 429 Panet Rd. The new depot is expected to be up and running by the end of 2017. At that time, residents will be able to drop off items that can be recycled, reused, composted, or resold.

"The vision of having a sustainable community has taken a huge leap forward today for the residents of east Winnipeg," Coun. Russ Wyatt (Transcona) said at the groundbreaking ceremony.

The new, permanent depot will be the city’s third. According to the City, since the 4 Brady Rd. location opened in February 2016, followed by the 1120 Pacific Ave. location in January 2017, over 6,200 tonnes of material has been diverted from landfills.

While the June 23 groundbreaking officially heralded the construction of a permanent depot, Coun. Jason Schreyer (Elmwood-East Kildonan) explained that the location has been in place for some time already.

"I’ve been using it since early spring," Schreyer said. "It’s so practical."

Situated where St. Boniface, East Elmwood, and Transcona come together, Schreyer said 4R Winnipeg Depot at Panet Road will be "so handy," for residents across eastern Winnipeg.

"This is a permanent depot where you can drop off your household hazardous waste, so they don’t end up in landfills," Schreyer said. "We’re also talking regular recycling, rubble and masonry, porcelain, clean fill."

It is free to use the 4R Winnipeg Depots to unload unwanted goods and material, as long as all of the materials dropped off are recyclable. Garbage is not accepted at the Pacific Avenue location, nor will it be accepted at Panet Road. You can drop off garbage at the Brady 4R Winnipeg Depot (4 Brady Rd.), but is subject to a tipping fee.

Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface), in whose ward the depot is located, said the news is good for area residents.

"It’s a place for people to go and leave different materials that are best left out of the landfill," Allard said.

"This is closer to home for residents than Brady Landfill, where they are subject to a fee. This is really neat way for Winnipeggers to recycle, and there’s definitely a win-win element for everyone."

Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital) said the depot is a good addition to the locations at Brady Road and Pacific Avenue as it expands the options for residents.

"It’s another good option to have for the residents of southeast Winnipeg," Mayes said.

"I’d expect some people living south of Bishop Grandin Boulevard might still use Brady Road, while those living north of Bishop Grandin might choose to use the new depot on Panet Road."
Mayes said he expects the new depot to be open by the end of the year. 

For more information, visit http://winnipeg.ca/WaterAndWaste/recycle/4rdepots/default.stm or call 311.