The province says they are investing in waste reduction projects such as child car seat recycling after seeing an increase in household waste during the pandemic.
Mother Earth Recycling, Product Care Association, and the Manitoba Association of Regional Recyclers (MARR) will be receiving funding from the province to go towards their projects recycling hard-to-dispose items and researching best recycling practiced in Manitoba.
Of the $10 million investment, $7 million will be going towards recycling rebates for municipalities and Northern Affairs communities, encouraging blue box recycling in the area.
“Manitobans are spending more time at home, and in some cases that means an increase in waste or recyclables,” Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard says. “We want to be sure that in these difficult times we don’t lose focus on our responsibility to reduce our waste and continue to divert items from our landfills as much as possible.”
The province is hoping to see paper, packaging, and beverage container recycling increase.
Already recycling materials such as mattresses and refurbishing electronics, a new pilot project from Mother Earth Recycling will allow for child car seats and furniture to be recycled. Mother Earth Recycling is an Indigenous-owned and operated social enterprise in Winnipeg. Their new project will receive $50,000 from the province in funding.
Product Care Association is set to receive $450,000 from the province to collect and dispose of stockpiled household hazardous waste. It will focus on northern landfills.
The Manitoba Association of Regional Recyclers (MARR), a non-profit focusing on education, will get $60,000 to help other recycling organizations adapt to the new challenges created by COVID-19 and educate others on best practices and industry trends. The province says they will promote cost-efficient and effective recycling in Manitoba.
“Our members represent the grassroots of Manitoba’s community and regional recycling and waste diversion efforts,” Deb Odegaard, chair of MARR (Flin Flon and District Recycling) says. “MARR is thrilled to continue our long-term partnership with the province, and we look forward to driving innovation and growth in our efforts to reduce waste and protect Manitoba’s land, air and water.”
Additionally, Cleanfarms, a non-profit environmental stewardship organization, is receiving $185,000 from the province to expand the collection and recycling of agricultural plastics in southern Manitoba. They will be diverting grain bags and twine from landfills or on-site burning to extend the life of landfills and reducing air pollution.
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