Super recycling depot finally opens at Brady landfill

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This article was published 18/02/2016 (3832 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

More than two years behind schedule and more than $2 million over budget, the city’s first super recycling depot opened at the Brady landfill Thursday morning.

The depot features a paved road network with 17 different collection areas for a variety household recyclables, construction waste, oils and paints, plastics and metals and over-sized recyclables that will not fit into the curbside blue bins.

Located on a 12-acre site just south of the existing landfill entrance, the new depot replaces the recyclable drop-off area within the current landfill operation.

“This is going to be the cadillac for 4R recycling depots in Manitoba,” said Dennis Neufeld, program director with a provincial electronics recycling group. “This is going to be great.”

Neufeld and a dozen other dignitaries and city councillors attended the official opening of the facility, formally known as the Brady 4R Winnipeg Depot.

“This is all about the convenience — if recycling isn’t convenient, it isn’t going to happen,” said Neufeld, program director with the Manitoba Electronic Products Recycling Association. “You bring it here, they take everything.”

There will be no charge for dropping of recyclables and yard waste. There continues to be a fee for homeowners dropping off their own garbage: $61 a tonne, with a minimum charge of $15, an increase from the current $11.

The new facility means an end to the trip up the landfill for homeowners. All non-commercial and “weekend” drivers will drop off their recyclables and garbage at the new depot. The landfill will be restricted to commercial haulers.

Other depots are planned: later this year on the city’s Pacific Avenue complex; and in 2017 on Panet Road. The development of a fourth site depends on public demand.

Homeowners will be required to deposit anything that doesn’t fall into one of the 17 category collection bins into garbage bins at the end of the route.

The depot project has had a troubled history. The program was announced in December 2012 by former Mayor Sam Katz and then-deputy mayor Coun. Russ Wyatt. The first two depots were to open in 2013, with a price tag of $7.2 million — the Brady depot alone cost $5.2 million — and another two were to be built in 2014.

The budget on the project has risen to $16.7 million. Delays and the cost increases were attributed to design changes, including the addition of a storage facility for oils and paints and a vehicle scale and scale house.

What the city finally got for its money appears impressive. Recyclable areas are well laid out in a paved, triangular route. Areas are clearly marked with large signs and staff on hand to assist motorists.

Coun. Brian Mayes, chairman of the environment committee, opened the ceremonies and acknowledged the problems that dogged the facility but said the operation represents a dramatic change in how recyclables and waste will be handled in Winnipeg.

“We’ve got a fantastic facility…let’s celebrate it,” Mayes said.

Randy Park, the city’s waste diversion supervisor, said the goal is to divert 7,000-10,000 metric tonnes of recyclable material from the landfill. He said it’s uncertain how popular the depot will become. He expects a slow period over the next month but believes it will get busier after Easter.

“This is a new concept for Winnipeg,” Park said. “It’ll be interesting to see the volumes we do generate.”

 

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca