As National Waste Reduction Week approaches the city wants you to ensure you "sort it right." The goal is to make sure Londoners put the proper recyclables in the proper bins. Paper products must be separated from containers, but officials say sometimes people make time-consuming and costly mistakes. "Cartons and cups; one of the things people do, because these are made of paper, they put them in the paper bin. In London we have a two stream system, even though those items are made of paper you must view them as containers," says the city's Director of Environment and Waste Management Jay Stanford. London started its recycling program in 1990, making this year the 25th anniversary of the blue box.
During that time, the city has recycled 500,000 tonnes. The city is looking for Londoners who have the original blue box, first placed at the curb in 1990. Those who have one may be eligible for a prize. The city is also running a sort it right contest, where inspectors will randomly check blue boxes across the city. Winners will get a $50 Tim Hortons gift card and be eligible for a $1,500 grocery gift card. For full details visit london.ca/recycle.
