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Recycling Stations Have Immediate Impact
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| Kanata recycling bin: One of ten recycling stations at the Kanata centre. The response was impressive as virtually all recyclable bottles and cans were removed from the trash. |
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| Source Separation: A look inside one of the recycling stations shows a clean recycling stream (right bin) – and no recyclables in the trash (left). |
PenEquity Realty Corporation, owner of large-scale entertainment centres in Canada, knew it needed to provide opportunities for patrons to recycle. Because these facilities are not enclosed malls, there is considerable outdoor foot traffic as people move between anchor entertainment and restaurants. Until recently, these properties only had stand-alone trash barrels at various outdoor locations. As a result, recyclables like bottles and cans were being thrown away.
PenEquity has enlisted the firm, MASS Environmental Services Inc., a solid waste solutions provider, to help manage waste streams at retail properties in Oakville, Mississauga, Whitby and Kanata, Ontario. The objective was to remove bottles and cans from the trash, a move that would reduce garbage removal costs and contribute to a cleaner environment. “There was no provision for recycling. You need to give patrons the opportunity,” says MASS Environmental Services’ Brenda Brown.
On the recommendation of Mass Environmental, PenEquity purchased 40 outdoor recycling stations from CleanRiver Recycling Solutions to provide ten containers at each centre. Constructed of durable plastic lumber made from recycled materials, these units combine rugged post-and-strut design with top-loading openings and backboard signage. The units selected for PenEquity feature two easy-to-recognize slots: one for recyclable bottles and cans and one for garbage and other non-recyclable materials.
The new recycling stations have quickly proven their worth in recovering recyclables. Mass Environmental conducted a 48-hour mini audit and found 99 percent of aluminum cans and 98 percent of plastic – primarily water bottles – were being put into recycling rather than trash. “This was really exciting to see,” said Brown. “The impact of the containers on recycling was immediate and demonstrated that the right containers and signage work extremely well.”
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