It looks like it’s time for a refresher course in what’s allowed in Nanaimo’s blue bins.
The contamination rate — the presence of banned items — in recycling bins is running at about 10 per cent in the city, well above the three per cent maximum permitted by the province.
In some cases, the contamination rate is hitting 18 per cent, the city said in a statement Tuesday.
The most common prohibited items found in blue bins are glass, electronics, plastic bags and wrapping, scrap metal, garbage, clothes, construction materials, hazardous waste and refundable containers.
If standards are not met, Recycle B.C. has the authority to fine the city.
“We have to be careful not to become a community of wish-cyclers, tossing items in the blue bin which can’t be properly handled at the recycling facility,” said Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog.
When prohibited items go into blue bins, it creates more work and could end up costing taxpayers money, he said.
“When in doubt, just throw it out; recycle the materials you’re sure of.”
Items accepted in the blue bins include paper, newspapers, paper packaging, flattened cardboard, plastic clamshell containers, paper cups used for beverages such as tea and coffee, cartons for products such as milk and cream, and steel and aluminum containers.
Cardboard should be no larger than 60 centimetres by 60 centimetres or two feet by two feet before being put into a blue bin.
Nanaimo asks residents to empty and rinse containers and remove tape, string, ribbons or other similar contaminants.
For more information and details on what can and cannot be recycled, go to nanaimo.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling/recycling.
