Draft plan calls for industry-funded recycling system across province

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This article was published 17/01/2024 (631 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Major changes to household recycling could take effect in communities across the province within just a few years, a proposal that’s already affecting plans for Winnipeg waste collection.

In 2018, the provincial government directed Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba to develop a plan to cover all recycling costs for municipal systems collecting items from residential blue bins.

A draft plan now calls for the non-profit, industry-funded organization to take over processing the materials and let municipalities choose if they’d like to continue providing residential recycling collection or shift that responsibility over to the association, as well.

Coun. Brian Mayes, chairman of city council’s water and waste committee, said the proposed changes are one reason why the city is now considering a call to extend its current garbage and recycling contracts from Feb. 1, 2025 to Jan. 31, 2027, instead of seeking a new seven-year deal next year.

“This interesting push that the province has had for some years … would have an impact on what we want to do,” said Mayes (St. Vital).

The councillor said he’s not yet sure what the best option is for the city under an industry-led recycling system, if the province approves MMSM’s proposal.

Mayes said Winnipeggers are accustomed to a standard of recycling that must be maintained.

“People expect us to provide that, so I wouldn’t want to see any loss of that service. On the other hand, if somebody else can deliver it, and it opens up some financial room for us to do (curbside) composting, well, that wouldn’t be so bad,” he said.

The city hopes to work out the details of its plan to add green bin collection later this year, which could involve efforts to add the service by 2026, instead of the initial target date of 2030. Mayes said final decisions on exactly which compostable materials will be collected and how often they’ll be picked up still need to be worked out.

“Are we going out to market to ask people to bid to do recycling, garbage and compost or just garbage? All that needs to be decided this year,” he said.

MMSM’s executive director said the new provincewide recycling proposal aims to create a more consistent system.

“For the consumer, it’s being able to recycle the same things in different communities across the province… the ability to expand on the types of accepted materials in the blue bin,” said Karen Melnychuk.

Melnychuk noted provincial legislation currently requires MMSM to cover up to 80 per cent of the cost of municipalities’ residential recycling programs.

The draft plan states municipalities will be able to choose whether they want to continue collecting recyclables or have MMSM contract the service out on their behalf.

“The community would have the option to opt in, which means they would be a service provider to us to maintain the current collection or they can opt out.… If they opt out, we would then find out how many communities in a certain geographic area are opting out and then look at (issuing a request for proposals for that service),” said Melnychuk.

She said the proposed change should lead to savings for municipalities that offer recycling programs.

“Right now, we only fund up to 80 per cent of the residential recycling so with us taking over full responsibility… there would be a savings to them,” she said.

If a final plan is approved this year, Melnychuk said she expects the transition to the new system could be completed by 2027 or 2028.

Kelly Kuryk, an acting senior manager of environmental policy for the province, said similar transitions are being explored by other provinces.

“We’re looking for better outcomes in terms of how recycling programming is delivered and the types of materials that are collected and the quantities. So, really, the intent is to see programming improve in Manitoba and be delivered more consistently across the province,” said Kuryk.

She said the changes follow a “polluter pays” principle that should benefit Winnipeg and other municipalities, as well as their residents.

“Residents wouldn’t be experiencing any sort of noticeable changes in their service delivery.… Ideally, municipalities have less financial burden and that would translate to the experience for residents, as well,” said Kuryk.

A request to interview officials in Winnipeg’s water and waste department was not granted Wednesday.

“We are engaged with the province on this issue and details as to how this could work are still being determined. As such, we cannot speak to possible impacts,” city spokesperson Lisa Marquardson said in a brief emailed statement.

Winnipeg city council is expected to cast a final vote on extending its waste collection contracts on Jan. 25. The extension is expected to cost $80.2 million, or about $10.6 million more than the city initially expected. Mayes said he wasn’t surprised by the increased price, given rising fuel and vehicle costs.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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