Starting March 1st – Plastic Bags Removed from Recycling
Plastic Bag Recycling is Changing!
Starting March 1st, plastic bags and plastic wrap will no longer be accepted in recycling. This includes grocery bags, bread bags, produce bags and plastic wrap on things like paper towel. Please continue to recycle your plastic containers with the recycling number of 1, 2 or 5, in with the Plastic, Metal and Milk recycling. For more information on the change and how you can reduce your plastic bag use: https://www.fundyrecycles.com/commission/whats-new/
Frequently asked questions:
Q: What plastics are being removed from the recycling list?
A: Fundy Regional Service Commission is removing plastic bags from the list of items that can be recycled. This includes grocery bags, bread bags, produce bags, Ziploc bags, saran wrap and plastic wrap on items like paper towel. Think of them as the ‘soft plastics’. We still want you to recycle your plastic containers with the recycling number 1, 2 or 5.
Q: What plastics can I recycle?
A: Fundy Regional Service Commission wants you to continue to recycle your plastic containers with the recycling number of 1, 2 or 5. These would include water bottles, shampoo bottles, large yogurt containers and condiment bottle as well as other containers with the correct recycling number.
Q: Where can I get an updated recycling list?
A: on the Fundy Recycles website: https://www.fundyrecycles.com/assets/Uploads/FRSW-Compost-Recycle-List-tips-2020.pdf
Q: Where can I learn more about recycling?
A: The Fundy Recycles website and Facebook page have lots of tips and information. https://www.fundyrecycles.com/ Search Fundy Regional Service Commission on Facebook.
Q: Why are plastic bags coming out of recycling?
A: Why? For the past 2 years Fundy Regional Service Commission have been trying to find a market for plastic bags – unsuccessfully. We now have 40 tonnes of plastic bags in our warehouse without any sign of changes on the market. This is a tough decision – we don’t change the recycling list easily, but we want people to know that the items we do accept CAN be recycled.
Q: Will they start accepting plastic bags again soon?
A: It is very unlikely. The issue of plastic bags is a world-wide problem and it won’t go away soon. We have been trying for 2 years to find a market for our plastic bags and we do not anticipate it changing soon.
Q: Can I still put my extra recycling in plastic bags?
A: We do not want any recycling in plastic bags, with the one exception of shredded paper which can go in a clear plastic bag (or a paper bag). We want your recycling loose in the bin, and loose in the Blue Recycling Depot Bins. If you have extra recycling we ask that you purchase an extra bin from the town office or a similar size and style bin from any hardware store. It doesn’t matter about the colour, just separate the items correctly.
Q: Can I put my extra yard waste in a clear plastic bag?
A: Fundy Regional Service Commission would prefer extra yard waste in a paper leaf & yard waste bag as the paper bag is compostable. Clear bags will still be permitted for yard waste, but they have to be opened and then removed from compost, so are more problematic.
Q: Can I still put my garbage in a plastic garbage bag?
A: Yes, plastic bags have not been banned from the landfill, only removed from the recycling list.
Q: Will plastic bags now all go in the landfill?
A: Yes, and that is why we are asking people to take personal responsibility to reduce their plastic bag use. Our website and Facebook page have lots of info about how you can reduce your plastic bag use. It is easy, once you make a few changes: https://www.fundyrecycles.com/commission/whats-new/
Q: Is there more information about the changes and the reasons why?
A: Yes, on the Fundy Recycles website, there is more information about the changes and ways that you can reduce your plastic bag use: https://www.fundyrecycles.com/commission/whats-new/
Q: What can I use instead of plastic bags?
A: There are lots of reusable bags available in stores, but there are other options as well. You can purchase small silicone bags to replace Ziploc bags, or you can use washable containers. Beeswax wraps are becoming popular again to wrap snacks. You can also purchase mesh bags to replace produce bags – Sobey’s has inexpensive ones.
Q: Is a plastic bag ban coming?
A: The Fundy Regional Service Commission passed a motion, recommending that the municipalities in the Fundy Region adopt the plastic bag reduction bylaw similar to the legislation in PEI and the bylaw in Moncton, Riverview and Dieppe by February 1, 2021.
Removing plastic bags from the recycling list will not necessarily result in plastic bag reduction, and simply moves them from recycling to landfill. By adopting the bylaw, we can reduce the overall consumption of plastic bags, and reduce their impact on the environment.
It was also noted that a harmonized approach to the bylaw is necessary to help level the playing field for retailers, and ensure that similar rules are in place in the province and in the Atlantic region.
