No plastics in Peel's organics recycling

The Region of Peel launched its Organics Recycling Program in Caledon, Brampton and Mississauga April 2.

The program enables all households that receive curbside waste collection services to divert household organic material, such as food waste and soiled paper products, from disposal.

"The Region is very pleased that more than 50 per cent of residents are participating in the program to date," says Andrew Pollock, director of waste management. "While we are looking forward to increased participation rates, we remind residents to keep non-compostable plastics, such as plastic grocery bags, out of their green bins."

The Region's Organics Recycling Program is not designed to screen out noncompostable plastics; therefore, items such as plastic grocery bags, food wrap and other plastic containers are not permitted in the program as they contaminate finished compost. Starting Oct. 1, 2007, green bins containing plastic items, such as grocery bags, will not be collected.

Residents may line their containers with newspaper, paper bags or certified compostable plastic bags, available at hardware and grocery stores. Only certified compostable plastic bags with this logo are permitted in the program.

Since the launch of the program, the Region has collected more than 10,400 tonnes of organic material from residents, which will be converted to approximately 2,700 tonnes of finished compost or enough to cover 101 soccer fields with a half inch layer. The finished compost can be used as mulch, a soil enhancer for gardens or top dressing for lawns.

For more information on these programs, call the Region of Peel at 905-791- 9499 or in long-distance areas of Caledon call 905- 584-2216, free of charge. Visit the Region of Peel Web site at peelregion.ca/waste.