City staff are now performing ongoing curbside recycle cart inspections with the purpose of helping residents learn more about how to sort their recycling.
The goal of the recycle cart inspection program is to understand where residents require additional education about how to dispose of specific items. When staff identify an item in a recycle cart that does not belong, this is considered contamination and a ‘You’ve Been Spotted’ notice will be left on the cart. This notice is for educational purposes and does not mean your cart will be skipped for collection.
“Recycle cart audits are one method for City staff to understand what residents are putting in their recycle cart that may be considered contamination,” said Madison Poultney, Sustainability Coordinator. “By leaving a ‘You’ve Been Spotted’ cart notice behind, we are educating residents with simple tips on how to contribute to a more sustainable recycling program.”
The cart notice provides specific details about the items placed in the cart that are not accepted for recycling, as well as general tips for best recycling practices.
Penticton’s goal is to lower the community’s recycling contamination rate from 13.3 per cent to 10 per cent or lower by November. If the City does not meet its goals set out by Recycle BC, it could lead to increased costs to deliver the program as a result of fines. It may also lead to a less convenient recycling service, such as having to sort everything into separate bins or bags, which has been shown to reduce contamination in other B.C. communities.
For more information on recycling, visit penticton.ca/recycling and try the ‘What Goes Where’ tool, or phone the Recycle BC Hotline at 1-800-667-4321.