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RECYCLING AND WASTE REDUCTION GUIDE

CONTENTS:
Introduction
Solid Waste Collection Program
Item Directory
Green Box Program
Green Box Recycling Depot
Composting
Household Hazardous Waste
Waste Oil Recycling
 Regional Landfill Site
Business Directory

INTRODUCTION
The City of Portage la Prairie Operations Department has prepared this booklet . The booklet provides a one-stop source of information on recycling and solid waste issues. This guide is a further step in the education process that began along with the "Waste Matters" program in August of 1995. The City of Portage la Prairie recognizes that, no matter how well planned waste reduction programs are, success cannot be achieved without the knowledge and co-operation of the general public.

In August of 1995, the City of Portage la Prairie began the "Waste Matters" Program, whereby a partial user pay system of collecting solid waste from the curb was established, along with a voluntary curbside recycling program. In 1998, Bulk recycling began at apartment complexes. These steps were taken to help us achieve our goal of 50% residential waste reduction, as legislated by the Province of Manitoba. The City of Portage la Prairie also offers a free Yard Waste Collection for 4 weeks every spring and fall, plus offers a year round drop off Yard Waste site.

To achieve waste reduction goals of this magnitude requires an effort from every individual at home (and at work). A slight change in lifestyle can have a profound effect upon the volume of refuse being generated.

Look at the list of items that are recyclable and reusable within the City of Portage la Prairie, and see how much material disposed each year could be saved. In October of 2003, the Manitoba Product Stewardship Corporation for the period of April 2002 to March 2003, rated the City of Portage la Prairie an A for recycling 70.3 kgs of recyclables per person.


 SOLID WASTE COLLECTION PROGRAM

COLLECTION DAYS
Our residential collection crews work on a five day cycle, Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to approximately 4:30 p.m. Following statutory holidays, our collection day moves ahead one day. Each household is provided with a solid waste collection schedule that clearly outlines your collection days.

 SOLID WASTE COLLECTION TAGS
There is a two-bag/can limit on the amount of solid waste that will be picked up from the curb each collection day.  Anything over that amount must have a Solid Waste Collection Tag affixed.  These tags can be purchased from various retail outlets throughout the City, at the Operations Department and City Hall.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
 There is a limit of four containers per household on the first collection day after the Christmas Holiday on your regular scheduled solid waste collection day.

SIZE OF CONTAINERS (BAGS/CANS)
If you use a waste container, it must be not more than 100 litre (26 gallon) capacity and must weigh not more than 25 kilograms (55 pounds).  If you use a plastic bag, maximum size shall be 66 centimetres by 91 centimetres (26 inches by 36 inches) and must weigh not more than 18 kilograms (40 pounds).  

BULKY ITEMS
You may place on the curb bulky items such as appliances, furniture, auto parts and large crates, not exceeding 45 kgs (100 pounds) in weight. These items must be affixed with a waste collection tag, on your regular solid waste collection day.  Any bulk item larger than 45 kgs (100 pounds) is to be disposed of by the owner.

TREE TRIMMINGS
 We encourage people to take tree trimmings to the Tree Disposal Site, however, tree trimmings may be placed out for collection but must be bundled and branches are to be no larger than 10 centimetres (4 inches) in diameter, and no heavier than 35 kilograms (75 pounds) in weight, and no longer than 4 feet.  Tree trimmings must be affixed with a waste collection tag.

YOU CAN HELP
We are committed to providing you with reliable solid waste collection service. You can help by storing and packaging your solid waste properly.  Please follow these tips: 

  • Do not place your solid waste out for collection before 8:00 p.m. the day prior, but please have it out by 7:00 a.m. on collection day.  

  • Place your solid waste as close as possible to the street in front of your residence, but not on a sidewalk or in any location that will interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic.  

  • Securely wrap household wastes such as meat or vegetable waste before placing it in a waste container.  

  • Bulky items containing chlorofluorocarbons, such as Freon, must have the substance removed by a certified tradesman and tagged prior to collection.  

  • Construction and demolition waste must be disposed at the Portage la Prairie Regional Landfill Site.

GREEN BOX PROGRAM

COLLECTION OF RECYCLABLES
The City will provide curbside collection of recyclables to single, and multiple family dwellings on your regular solid waste collection day, on a bi-weekly basis. Recycling is voluntary, but encouraged. Green boxes can be obtained at the City Operations Office at 495-11th Street N.W. All recyclables must be placed in a green box. First Time and Existing Recyclers are entitled to One Free Green Box, with a Ten Dollar Refundable Deposit required on additional Green Boxes, with a maximum of Four Green Boxes allowed per Single Family Dwelling.


This program is partially funded through the Manitoba Product Stewardship Corporation (MPSC) and the eligible materials are determined by the MPSC. Items that are currently accepted in the green boxes are:

  1. NEWSPAPERS - including flyers & inserts;

  2. ALUMINIUM CONTAINERS - including all rigid aluminum containers;

  3. GLASS CONTAINERS - including all liquor bottles and glass jars;

  4. PET or #1 plastic CONTAINERS - including soft drink bottles, some food product and personal care product containers;

  5. HDPE or #2 plastic CONTAINERS - including milk jugs, some food product and some personal care product containers;

  6. LPDE #4 plastic CONTAINERS and LIDS - including lids from containers normally used for margarine, yogurt, and other food products;

  7. PP or #5 plastic CONTAINERS - including containers normally used for margarine, yogurt and other food products; 

  8. #7 plastic CONTAINERS - including bottles sometimes used for ketchup and other condiments;

  9. STEEL CONTAINERS - including all steel food/beverage cans;

  10. MAGAZINES/CATALOGUES - including glossy paper publications;

  11. GABLE TOP BEVERAGE CARTONS - including milk, milk product and juice cartons; 

  12. BOXBOARD - including all paperboard boxes (e.g. cereal boxes, laundry detergent boxes, toy boxes, shoe boxes, etc.);

  13. CORRUGATED CARDBOARD

  14. TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES

  15. BRICK STYLE (tetra-pak) BEVERAGE CONTAINERS

Currently, the following materials will not be accepted in the green boxes:

  • Polystyrene containers and packing materials

  • Plastic film

  • Aluminum foil

  • Pizza Boxes (accepted by PDRI @ depot)

  • Bond Paper (accepted by PDRI @ depot)

Please rinse and remove labels and lids from all cans and bottles. Please rinse and collapse milk and juice cartons. If you are unsure of the type of plastic, the number is on the bottom of all plastic containers. Please collapse all cardboard and boxboard boxes, and remove packing tape.

Place your green boxes as close as possible to the street but not on a sidewalk or any location that will interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Please place your green boxes out prior to 7:00 a.m. on collection day, but no earlier than 8:00 p.m. the day before collection.
 

RECYCLING DEPOT

The City contracts with Portage & District Recycling Inc. who operate a Recycling Depot at 700 Phillips Street. All items that are accepted in the green box can be dropped off at the Depot 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, for more information you may call the Operations Department at 239-8346.


 COMPOSTING/YARD WASTE
The City of Portage la Prairie operates a Compost Site at the corner of 4th Avenue N.W. and 15th Street N.W. The site accepts all yard and garden waste (no tree trimmings). The site is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Please remove your bags!

Each spring and fall the City provides a curbside yard waste pickup, free of charge (no tree trimmings). Yard waste must be in clear bags (not colored transparent bags) and specific dates are advertised. Each bag must weigh not more than 18 kg. (40 lbs.). Finished compost is available for use annually, when advertised.

TREE DISPOSAL SITE
A Tree Disposal Site is located behind the Water Pollution Control Facility East of River Road (PR 240) where trees and tree trimmings may be disposed. The site is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Follow the signs.

CHRISTMAS TREE DISPOSAL
The City provides a Christmas tree collection program commencing in January for a three week period on your regular solid waste collection day at the curbside. Dates will be advertised.
 

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL
The City of Portage la Prairie hosts an annual Household Hazardous Waste Day. Date will be advertised.

WASTE OIL RECYCLING
Portage la Prairie residents may dispose of waste oil at Portage District Recycling.

REGIONAL LANDFILL SITE 
Portage la Prairie residents may deliver waste to the Portage la Prairie Regional Landfill Site Located north east of the City.  Tipping Fees apply at the rate of $25.00 per tonne, with a minimum charge of $5.00. All Loads are to be properly secured.  Unsecured loads are subject to a surcharge of $25.00

 

Directions are:

12 kms. North on PR 240 and 8 kms. East on PR 227 or
East on PH 26, North on RP 430, and West on PR 227.

Hours of Operation
Tuesday through Saturday - 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sundays, Mondays and Statutory Holidays - Closed 

Click Here for Webpage


 REUSABLE/RECYCLABLE ITEM DIRECTORY

Appliances
MCC Re-Uzit Centre will accept small appliances in good working condition.

 Gerrard scrap metals will receive all appliances except fridges and freezers unless the Freon has been removed and tagged or numbered by a certified technician.

Batteries
Gerrard Scrap Metal will accept used batteries.

Canadian Tire recycles RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES.

Books
MCC Thrift Shop will accept used books.

The City Library will accept most donations of books in good condition, with the exception of old encyclopedias and textbooks.  They also accept used videos and audio books.  Books are either sold at the Library's ongoing book sale tables, or donated to the Children's Hospital Book Mart.

Portage Women's Shelter will accept used children's books.  

Catalogues
are accepted in your green box.  Sears also accepts old Sears catalogues.  

Clothing
The MCC Thrift Shop, and the Portage Women's Shelter all accept used clothing.  

Compost
Yard and garden waste is accepted at the City Composting Facility. (No Tree Trimmings)

Craft Items
Lion’s Prairie Manor is interested in leftover materials for craft programs.  Donations that would be appreciated include wool, thread, and fabric scraps and styrofoam balls.  

Eye Glasses
Portage Vision Services and Portage Family Eye Care Inc. accepts used eyeglasses. These are then picked up by the Lions Club and donated.


Furniture
Used furniture can be donated to the Salvation Army and MCC Re-Uzit Centre.

Grocery Bags
Canada Safeway accepts old plastic grocery bags.

Household Hazardous Wastes
This waste should be disposed of at a Household Hazardous Waste Day. This includes pesticides, paint, cleaning chemicals used motor oil, antifreeze, etc.

Magazines
Used magazines except Reader's Digest and weekly magazines may be donated to the City Library or recycled in the green box at home.

Metal
Brass, copper, stainless steel, lead, aluminum, and any other metal will be accepted at Gerard Scrap Metal.

Motor Oils & Filters

Portage & Distract Recycling operated a used oil-recycling depot at 700 Phillips Street N.W.; hours of Operation are 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday.

Newspapers\Flyers
ARC Industries will accept Newspapers and flyers.

Rags
ARC Industries will accept good clean material for rags.

Records
Used records and tapes are accepted at MCC Thrift Shop.

Telephone Books
Portage & District Recycling Depot will accept used telephone books for recycling, or in your green box at home.

Tires
Tires are accepted at the 227 Landfill Site. The City is involved in a tire-recycling program.

Toys
Used toys may be donated to the Salvation Army, MCC Thrift Shop, and the Portage Women's Shelter.

DIRECTORY OF BUSINESSES NOTED ON THIS PAGE

Name

Address

Telephone

ARC Industries

1675 Saskatchewan Avenue W.

857-7665

Canada Safeway

2450 Saskatchewan Avenue W.

857-9107  

City Composting Facility

4th Avenue N.E. & 15th Street N.W.

239-8352  

City Library       

40-B Royal Road N.

857-4271

Gerrard Scrap Metal      

350-14th Street N.E.

239-6371  

Lions Prairie Manor

24-9th Street S.E.         

857-7864  

MCC Thrift Shop

149 Saskatchewan Avenue E.    

239-4836  

MCC Re-Uzit Centre

149 Saskatchewan Avenue E.    

239-4836  

Operations Department

495 11th Street N.W.      

239-8346 

Portage & District Recycling

700 Phillips Street         

857-7919  

Portage Family Eye Care Inc.

20 Saskatchewan Avenue E.      

857-7697  

Portage Vision Services

39 Royal Road N. 

857-8559 

Portage Women's Shelter

239-5234 

Sears Canada

131 Saskatchewan Avenue E.    

857-3461

 

If you know of any service or business that should be listed in this guide, please contact the City of Portage la Prairie Operations Department at 239-8346.


 


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