Recycling
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
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- Where can I get a blue box and how much do they cost?
- What size blue box can I use?
- What if I have too many recyclables for one blue box?
- Today is my collection day and my blue box has not been collected. What shall I do?
- Why did we have to sort our recyclables before?
- Why can't I put plastic bags in my blue box any more?
- Why can't I continue to package my newspapers in plastic bags?
- You took plastic bags before. What has changed that you can't take them now?
- What can I do with my plastic bags?
- Why do some grocery stores still recycle their plastic bags, but you don't?
- How should I put out my shredded or loose paper for recycling?
- Why can't I use smaller clear plastic bags for my shredded paper?
- Can I still put paper bags in my blue box?
- Why can't I put recyclables inside paper bags?
- Why can't I recycle books?
- Why can't I recycle foil products, such as aluminum foil, foil pie plates or foil takeout food containers?
- Why can't I recycle foam products, such as foam egg cartons, foam packaging or foam takeout food containers?
- Can I recycle wrapping paper and tissue paper?
- Can I recycle dry pet food bags?
- Can I recycle frozen juice containers?
- Can I recycle construction or art paper?
- Can I recycle phone books?
- How should I put my cardboard out for collection?
- Why can cardboard be only 1 metre in any direction?
- What if I break a glass container when I put it in my blue box?
- Can I recycle my broken blue box by placing it out for recycling collection?
- There is a tag on my blue box. Why?
- Will you collect the contents of the blue box if a box is tagged?
- Will my collection day change?
- What hours will recycling collectors work?
- Are there any exceptions to these times?
- I just moved into my newly constructed home. Am I eligible for a free blue box?
- I didn't know about the changes to the blue box recycling program? How did you advertise the changes?
Where can I get a blue box and how much do they cost?
You can buy a recommended size blue box for $5.00 plus taxes at Canadian Tire. You can also purchase them at our customer service counter located on the main floor of City Hall at 510 Main Street 
(Administration Building). There is a limit of three blue boxes per transaction at City Hall.
What size blue box can I use?
Use either the recommended (about 55 litres) or larger (up to 90 litres) sizes.
Acceptable containers
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Non-acceptable containers
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What if I have too many recyclables for one blue box?
You need at least one acceptable sized blue box to recycle. If you have too many items for your blue box, put the rest of your extra recyclables in any container that is no larger than an acceptable sized blue box.
Today is my collection day and my blue box has not been collected. What shall I do?
As there may be a delay in your pick up, leave your box out. You should also check for a tag. Tags explain why items were left behind. If there is no tag, and if you put your blue box out before 7:00 a.m., leave your box out and contact 311.
Why did we have to sort our recyclables before?
The automated sorting technology wasn't available then.
Why can't I put plastic bags in my blue box any more?
We can't recycle plastic bags, so we won't take them. We don't want to collect them in the recycling program and then haul them to the landfill.
Why can't I continue to package my newspapers in plastic bags?
Much of the new sorting process is automated. Plastic bags get caught in the moving parts of the equipment and can cause breakdowns.
You took plastic bags before. What has changed that you can't take them now?
We no longer have a buyer for plastic bags. Besides, plastic bags were necessary to separate paper products from the rest of the recyclable items. We no longer need to separate the paper products now that the process is automated.
What can I do with my plastic bags?
You can:
- Reuse plastic bags when shopping.
- Recycle your plastic shopping bags by taking them to a store with a collection program . Make sure they are empty and free of paper and debris.
- Drop off clean plastic bags for reuse at:
- Winnipeg Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way
- Winnipeg Harvest, 1085 Winnipeg Avenue
Why do some stores recycle their plastic bags, but you don't?
Our automated sorting equipment cannot handle plastic bags.
How should I put out my shredded or loose paper for recycling?
To help reduce litter, you can:
- Pack the paper tightly in your blue box (or other container no larger than a blue box, such as a cardboard box, large plastic container or tote) to prevent it from blowing away
- Put lighter paper between heavier items, newspapers or cardboard
- Put heavier items or another box on top
- Put your shredded paper in full size (77 litre) see-through, tied, plastic garbage bags. This is the only exception to our "no bags" policy. We will empty the bags and then take them to the landfill site, as we cannot recycle plastic bags.
Why can't I use smaller clear plastic bags for my shredded paper?
While most of the recycling is done automatically by machine, we have to empty the shredded paper from plastic bags by hand. Bags smaller than 77 litres might be covered by other recyclables and missed by the sorting staff. The bags would then be sent to the landfill site, and the shredded paper would not be recycled.
Can I still put paper bags in my blue box?
Yes, but do not place any recyclables in them.
Why can't I put recyclables inside paper bags?
The new sorting machines cannot remove recyclables from paper bags. The recyclables and paper bags would be sent to the landfill site.
Why can't I recycle books?
Book covers and glues used in book bindings lower the quality of the recycled paper fibre used to create recycled paper. This reduces the value of the paper we sell to the paper recyclers. Instead, consider donating your books and magazines to used bookstores, libraries, hospitals or charities. Contact them first to find out what books they will accept.
Why can't I recycle foil products, such as aluminum foil, foil pie plates or foil takeout food containers?
Unlike aluminum drink cans, these products are not pure aluminum. They are blended with other materials and lower the quality and value of our recycled material.
Why can't I recycle foam products, such as foam egg cartons, foam packaging or foam takeout food containers?
There are no local recyclers for this product.
Can I recycle wrapping paper and tissue paper?
No. The paper is often blended with other materials, such as wax and metal, that can't be recycled.
Can I recycle dry pet food bags?
No. Much like wrapping paper, these containers are often made of blended materials.
Can I recycle frozen juice containers?
No. Much like wrapping paper, these containers are often made of blended materials.
Can I recycle construction or art paper?
Yes, as long as it does not have crayon wax or glue on it.
Can I recycle phone books?
You can recycle your old phone books by placing them in your blue box. Apartment residents should put their phone books in their recycling bins. Residents can also put their phone books in the "paper" bin at any of the recycling depots in the city. The depots are open 24 hours, 365 days per year.
How should I put my cardboard out for collection?
Cardboard should be crushed flat and should measure no more than 1 metre in any direction. It should not be tied.
It is best if you put your cardboard inside your blue box but we will also collect cardboard that is stacked under your blue box. If you decide to place your cardboard beside your blue box, please secure it from blowing away in the wind and make sure it is easily identified as being for recycling collection instead of garbage collection.
Why can cardboard be only 1 metre in any direction?
Cardboard larger than 1 metre is too big to handle for processing.
What if I break a glass container when I put it in my blue box?
You will have to remove it. We cannot accept broken glass. It is dangerous to the staff.
Can I recycle my broken blue box by placing it out for recycling collection?
No. Our automated sorting equipment cannot handle broken blue boxes. Therefore, if you need to throw out a broken blue box, put it in a garbage bag and put it out for garbage collection.
There is a tag on my blue box. Why?
Your blue box was tagged for one of the following reasons:
- The items were packaged in plastic bags
- The cardboard was too big
- The items left behind are not included in our program
- The items left behind are hazardous waste products. We can't recycle containers that held products such as antifreeze, motor oil, windshield washer fluid, bleach, pesticide or herbicide. Danger symbols on the container (e.g., corrosive, explosive, poison and flammable) can help you identify many hazardous waste products.
Will you collect the contents of the blue box if a box is tagged?
We will leave behind only those items that we cannot recycle. We will also leave recyclable items packaged in a plastic bag so that the bag does not blow away.
Will my collection day change?
No. However, the collection time may vary each day. Put your blue box out by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day.
What hours will recycling collectors work?
Recycling collectors will work between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday (the same hours as garbage collectors). They will usually work on one side of the street/lane at a time.
Are there any exceptions to these times?
Under unusual circumstances, such as extreme weather conditions and equipment breakdowns, collection may continue up to 10:00 p.m.
I just moved into my newly constructed home. Am I eligible for a free blue box?
Yes. You are eligible for one blue box when a new home is constructed. Contact us and we will deliver the box to your home within 5 business days.
I didn't know about the changes to the blue box recycling program? How did you advertise the changes?
Improvements to the blue box recycling program started September 15, 2003. We delivered brochures to homes September 2nd-5th. You may have had a "no flyers" sign on your mailbox. We also have the brochure available in a PDF version 
(418kb) 
(389kb). We also advertised on radio, on television and in the newspaper.
For more information on blue box recycling, call the recycling and garbage information line at 986-8888, Code 9817 or contact 311.
Back to blue box recyclingApartment recycling
Are there any changes to the apartment recycling program?
There have been two improvements:
- Multi-family buildings have now been converted to our "no sorting" system. We have replaced the separate bins for containers, paper products and glass with newly labelled blue bins that accept any recyclables. Don't sort them. Don't tie them. Just empty them and toss them in loose. And no plastic bags, as plastic bags have never been included in our apartment recycling program.
- Just like homeowners, residents of multi-family dwellings can recycle all plastic containers with a recycling triangle on the bottom.
For more information on apartment recycling, call the recycling and garbage information line at 986-8888, Code 9818 or contact 311.
Recycling depots
How do I use the recycling depots?
- Do not use plastic bags to sort your items and do not place plastic bags in the bins.
- Continue to sort your items into the separate bins - paper products, containers, and glass. We will re-label the bins once we have converted over to the no-sort process.
- You can recycle all plastic containers with a recycling triangle on the bottom.
For more information on recycling depots, call the recycling and garbage information line at 986-8888, Code 9819 or contact 311.
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This page was last updated on February 7, 2011 |
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