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The Brampton Guardian
Blue box not a garbage disposal
Wednesday July 2 2008
 
Oh my.  It appears the number of unacceptable, non-recyclable material making its way into Peel Region blue bins has increased significantly in the last little while— and officials want to rein people in before the situation can get any worse.
Propane canisters, scrap metal, hair dryers, medical waste, shoes, toasters and stereo equipment are some of the prohibited items that have turned up at Peel's recycling facility.
Officials concede that it is impossible to not have non-recyclables turn up in the mix.
The percentage deemed acceptable ranges between five and 10 per cent. But in 2007, the percentage of non-recyclable trash that filtered into Peel's sorting facility reached 14 per cent.  
Peel Region waste management officials want councillors to beef up efforts to educate residents on recycling, and maybe reward those who do put in the effort to recycle properly.  
A solution hasn't been formally stamped out but Peel politicians acknowledge something has to be done.
Separating materials on collection day can get daunting even if it is for the right reasons.
The whole process can get frustrating even for the best of us.
But the situation here doesn't seem to be an issue of people not being able to distinguish between what items go in and what stays out.
Burying propane tanks and stereo systems in the bottom of a recycling bin is clearly a matter of laziness and blatant disregard.
For those who put in the energy week in, week out, you truly merit a pat on the back.
For those who don't, please consider doing your part.