Recycling 'has to change'

Photo: Kate Bouey

There may be some quick fixes to Greater Vernon's blue bin recycling program, but that will be all for now.

Coun. Scott Anderson says it's possible lids could be put on the bins.

He has also asked city staff if the company in charge of the program, Multi Material BC, is responsible for cleaning up streets as its trucks pass through, picking up recyclables.

“Those might be quick fixes ... but as far as substantial changes, those will have to wait until 2019,” Anderson warned Monday.

That's when the contract with MMBC runs out.

“I'm getting information so the next council, which I may not be a part of, has the information it needs to improve on it,” said Anderson.

“One thing I'm very concerned about is 71 per cent of the stuff we are throwing into the landfill is either organic, paper or plastic,” he said. “We're not recycling plastic, we're not recycling organic, and paper is one of the major offenders.”

“People are so resistant to the system as it is now that they are not recycling,” Anderson insisted. “Blaming them isn't going to solve the probelm. The system itself has got to be changed.”