Changes to blue bins passed at Regina city council

Regina residents will be able to recycle a greater variety of items starting in June.

City council approved changes to the city’s recycling stewardship program.

New materials that will be accepted inside of blue bins include things like:

• Non-durable paper food containers (drink trays, egg cartons)
• “High-density polyethylene” plastic containers labelled with the #2 code (milk jugs, detergent jugs or pails, household cleaner bottles)
• Shipping boxes, gift boxes
• Non-durable paper and plastic items (paper plates, bowls, tape dispensers and plastic hangers

During last week’s executive committee, city staff said they would emphasize education and provide further clarification to residents on what materials are and aren’t recyclable.

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Changes to the program will also come with fines for those who recycle materials that aren’t outlined in the new bylaw, ranging from $150 for first offences up to $250 for third-time offences.

According to the city administration’s report, fines are in place to reduce contamination.

The City of Regina will continue to collect recycling from residents but it will hand over the materials to SK Recycles for processing.

City administration said this new model will save the city roughly $1.6 million per year and will standardize Regina’s recycling program with the rest of the province.

The recycling stewardship program transition is expected to take place starting on June 1.

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that SK Recycles is the parent company of SARCAN. The two are separate entities.