The eight-month pilot program begins today and concludes in April 2002. Forty-two stainless steel bins have been installed by OMG Media along Broadway between Main Street and Osborne Street. Each bin has three compartments: one for newspapers, flyers and other paper; one for glass, plastic and aluminum beverage bottles and cans; and one for garbage.

“Innovative initiatives such as this are even more important as we strive to increase the amount of recycling Winnipeggers do,” said Mayor Glen Murray. “Our collective efforts to recycle more can significantly reduce negative environmental impacts such as greenhouse gasses.”

The goal of the program is to determine public response, detailed costs and diversion rates. The pilot also provides an opportunity to identify issues which must be addressed before considering expansion of the program either throughout downtown or citywide.

City Council approved the eight-month downtown recycling pilot program on June 20, 2001, at a cost of $101,000, which will be funded from the Water and Waste Department’s current budget. The majority of these costs are for collecting and processing the recyclable material.