During the first eight months of the Wet/Dry Program in 1999, 1 136 tonnes of cardboard was diverted from landfill and sent for recycling.  This number increased the following year to a total of 1 516 tonnes.  Cardboard recycling continues to play a significant role in saving valuable landfill space.  In 2003, 1 819 tonnes of cardboard was kept out of the landfill and in 2007, 3 661 tonnes of cardboard was diverted from the landfill and sent for recycling.

            Imagine how many people read the paper every morning; now, just think of how much newspaper can be kept out of the landfill and sent for recycling.  In 1999, 434 tonnes of newsprint was sent for recycling and this number has continued to increase throughout the years.  In 2000,   1 246 tonnes of newsprint was diverted from landfill and sent for recycling.  In comparison, 1 590 tonnes of newsprint was shipped to recycling markets in 2003 and 3 991 tonnes in 2007.

·        Flyers are considered newsprint and are recyclable

·        Recycling paper uses 60 % less energy than making paper from virgin timber

·        Recycled newsprint can be used to produce more newsprint, egg cartons, kitty litter, and construction materials such as wallboard and cellulose insulation

Landfilled newspapers do not decompose quickly.  Archaeologists have been able to read newspaper headlines from copies that were over forty years old.

            When the Westmorland-Albert Solid Waste Corporation landfill site opened in 1991, there were only two items being recycled:  Christmas trees and telephone books.  During the first year of operation, 20 000 telephone directories were recovered and in 1993, the number grew to 27 000.  This continued for the next six years until the Wet/Dry Program was launched in 1999.  In its first year, over 2 342 tonnes of paper was recycled.  In 2000, 1 953 tonnes of paper, 400 tonnes of office mixed paper and 1 247 tonnes of newsprint were sent for recycling.  In 2003, 2 886 tonnes of paper was diverted from landfill and sent for recycling.  With the increase in participation of the Wet/Dry Program in 2007, 4 262 tonnes of mixed paper was sent for recycling.

·        All types of paper can be recycled

·        Paper is made from interlocking plant fibres, made mainly of cellulose.  Trees are the main source of fibres, although other plants can also be used

·        Paper cannot be recycled indefinitely as fibres from a tree get shorter each time they are pulped.  These fibres can potentially be recycled four to six times before they disintegrate and lose their papermaking qualities

·        The majority of paper waste comes from the business sector.  All organizations are encouraged to implement paper reduction and recycling initiatives

·        Waste paper fibres can be used to make all types of recycled paper including high quality office paper

·        Paper can also be recycled to produce a wide variety of other products including furniture.  It can even be shredded and covered in a fireproof coating to be used as cavity wall insulation in buildings

Use paper wisely; try using both sides of the page before recycling

At Westmorland-Albert, plastic containers are sorted into eight different categories for recycling:

1.       Redeemable beverage containers – sold to redemption centres for recycling

2.      #1 PETE such as mouthwash and ketchup containers – used to produce beverage containers, clothing and carpet

3.      #2 HDPE Colour – coloured laundry and shampoo containers

4.      #2 HDPE White – yogurt and margarine containers

5.      #2 HDPE Clear – clear milk jugs and detergent containers

6.      #3 - #7 mixed – all other plastic packaging including medicine bottles, plastic cups and CD cases

7.      #4 LDPE film plastic or filler plastic – grocery bags

8.      Stretch film

In 1999, the year the Wet/Dry Program was launched, 130 tonnes of plastic and 19 000 beverage containers were diverted from landfill.  In comparison, the Corporation diverted 567 tonnes of plastics in 2004 and 1 523 478 redeemable bottles and cans.  In 2007, 770 tonnes of plastic and over 3 million redeemable units were sent for recycling.

·        Plastics are made from fossil fuel, a non-renewable energy source.  Making plastic from recycled materials uses only  30 % of the energy required to make plastic from virgin materials.

·        On the bottom or side of all plastic products there is a Plastic Identification Code.  This code is used to help industry identify what type of plastic the item is made from.

Plastics are recycled to produce a wide variety of material.  Most often they are recycled to produce a similar material, but plastic can also be used to make items such as carpet, t-shirts, lumber, flower pots, binders, rulers, garbage cans, signal lights, pallets, thermometers, insulation and much more.

            In 2000, the Atlantic Dairy Council brought forward a proposal to recover milk cartons from the waste stream.  Although an agreement was never finalized, an agreement was formed with the New Brunswick Milk Dealers that allowed Westmorland-Albert to remove milk cartons from the Dry waste stream for recycling.  In July, the first truckload of milk cartons was sent for recycling.  Over 600 000 milk cartons were diverted from landfill in 2001.  On August 11, 2003, the Corporation launched the Milk Carton Recycling Program.  Although Westmorland-Albert had been recycling milk cartons since 2000, this event marked the first shipment of milk cartons through the new NB Milk Dealers Association Milk Carton Recycling Agreement.  In 2003, 1.2 million milk cartons were diverted from landfill and sent for recycling and in 2007; the number grew to 3.6 million.

·        Our region became the first to recycle milk cartons in NB in 2000

·        Westmorland-Albert recovered over 3.6 million milk cartons in 2007 for recycling

·        Over 6 million milk carton are sold annually in New Brunswick

·        The recycling process involves removing the wax coating and using the fibres to produce paper or tissue.  Wax coating is re-used for the backing on roofing shingles

            After a joint project was initiated with Nike in September of 2001, Westmorland-Albert recovered the first shipment of 22 500 sneakers to be sent for recycling in January of 2002.  This shipment received provincial, national and international attention for the Corporation.  The second shipment of sneakers was only eight months after the first and it contained 24 500 sneakers.  Residents of North America were introduced to the first Curbside Sneaker Recycling Program in partnership with Nike Reuse-A-Shoe.

            In March, the Corporation rolled out two sneaker recycling bins at Cleve’s Source for Sports on Trinity Drive and CEPS Louis-J.-Robichaud Gym on the Université de Moncton campus.  During the grand opening of the Running Room in August, a third sneaker recycling bin was installed. These bins provide residents with easy access to sneaker recycling.

           

          Sneaker Recycling Facts

·        Sneaker recycling saved 375 cubic metres of landfill space in 2003

·        50 000 sneakers were diverted from landfill in 2007

·        All brands of sneakers are recovered for recycling

·        Nike launched their Reuse-A-Shoe program in 1999 as a way to recycle old an defective sneakers

·        Westmorland-Albert was the first in Canada to implement a sneaker recycling initiative through Nike

·        Sneakers are passed through shredders and ground-up to make Nike Grind which is used in the construction of athletic surfaces all around the world

·        What was once a shoe can now become a basketball or tennis court, turf soccer field, putting green, running track, or even a basketball, football or Frisbee

            Westmorland-Albert began its tire recycling initiative in 1994.  In 1999, 133 tonnes of tires were sent to Minto for recycling.  In 2003, 240 tonnes were diverted from landfill and sent for recycling.  In 2007, the NB Tire Stewardship was introduced and 252 tonnes of tires were sent to TRACC for recycling.

           Tire Recycling Facts

·        Westmorland-Albert recycles tires through TRACC (Tire Recycling Atlantic Canada Corporation) located in Minto, NB

·        TRACC is able to make products from more than 500 000 of NB’s scrap tires annually.  Since the program began in 1996, TRACC has successfully recycled more than 100 million pounds of quality industrial rubber from NB scrap tires

·        Recycled tire products include:  rubber mats, shock absorbers, cylinder rollers, noise suppression material for assembly line applications, rubber “crumb” for playgrounds, patio blocks, pylon bases, and livestock mats or “cow mattresses”

·        The cow mats are used to provide cows with more comfort, allowing them to produce up to 10 % more milk

            Recycling Tim Horton’s coffee cups was something the Corporation had been researching for over six months prior to meeting with Tim Horton’s representatives to pitch the idea for the program.  They were very receptive and willing to partner with WASWC to make recycling Tim Horton’s cups a reality.  In fact, Tim Horton’s was so enthused about the project that all the store managers participated in a tour of the facility to get a better understanding of the coffee cup recycling program.

            On Earth Day 2002, the Corporation teamed up with Tim Horton’s to recycle coffee cups.  Tim Horton’s placed recycling bins for “hot beverage containers” at the drive-thrus and inside stores at 25 local Tim Horton’s locations.  This program was the first of its kind in Canada and was also launched during Tim Horton’s anti-litter campaign.  In the same year, the Compost (Wet) Plant performed a pilot project to compost Tim Horton’s coffee cups.  The cups were shredded and used as a bulking agent.  The results found that in reasonable quantities, Tim Horton’s coffee cups could be sent for composting

            During the summer of 2002, Westmorland-Albert found a local electronic shop, Sounds Fantastic, willing and able to repair cell phones for reuse.  Cell phones donated at Sounds Fantastic or recovered from the Dry waste are refurbished and programmed to dial 911.  On August 19, 2002, the Corporation was able to donate the first 20 recycled cell phones to three local Community Policing Victim Services departments as well as Crossroads for Women.  These organizations give recycled cell phones to victims of abuse for use during emergency situations.  In 2003, the Corporation expanded the program to include senior citizen groups.  In 2004, over 2500 cell phones were recovered in the Dry waste stream or through the cell phone recycling depots and diverted from landfill. 

If cell phones end up in the waste stream, they may leak heavy metals and other toxic substances.  All used cell phones are sent to RBRC for recycling.  From 2005 to the end of 2006, 731 phones were recycled.  In 2007, 1700 cell phones were sent for recycling.

            In 2001, Westmorland-Albert became the first in Canada to sign on to “Charge Up To Recycle” with RBRC (Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation).  By recycling your used rechargeable batteries, you are helping to create a cleaner and safer environment, keeping harmful rechargeable battery by-products out of landfills and the solid waste stream, and preserving natural resources.  In 2002, 1 363 pounds were collected and shipped for recycling.  RBRC recognizes our region as Canada’s top participant per capita in the rechargeable battery recycling program.  In 2004, 15 444 pounds of batteries were sent for recycling and in 2007, 30 200 pounds.

            The Corporation returns old Christmas trees back to the environment.  Christmas trees are dropped off at the Westmorland-Albert Solid Waste facility, or picked up by residential haulers and mulched.  In 1993, 12 000 trees were mulched and by 1995, 30 000 trees were mulched annually.

            The past decades have seen enormous advances in technology, especially in the home electronics fields.  Because of technological advances, computers and other electronic equipment quickly become obsolete.  While these advances have improved our lives in many ways, it has also begun to cause problems in the area of electronic waste, also know as “E-Waste”.  Many electronics are deemed old and unusable after only a few years. 

            The electronic recycling program started on January 1, 2004 and it was the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada.  Electronics from WASWC are sent to Triple R Telecom of Saint John, NB, or to ADL Process of Toronto, ON, where all of the components are recycled.  These companies shred all of the electronics and separate the metals and plastics.  Hazardous materials are also removed and dealt with responsibly, keeping them out of landfills and the environment.  Each stream is then sent to various smelters for recovery and is used in recycled materials.

·        In 2004, 70 tonnes of electronics was diverted from landfill

·        In 2007, 90 tonnes of electronics was diverted from landfill

·        The electronic recycling program is able to accept the following electronics:

o       Computer equipment

o       Monitors

o       Circuit Boards

o       Mainframes

o       Stereo’s

o       VCR’s/DVD Players

o       Copiers

o       Fax Machines

o       Typewriters

o       Telephones

o       Calculators

o       Video Recorders

o       Video Games

o       A/V Equipment

o       Pagers

            More than 30 million ink cartridges are thrown out in Canada every year.  At Westmorland-Albert, ink cartridges are removed from the waste stream and sent to Ribbons Recycled Inc. where cartridges are refilled, tested and sent to retailers.  WASWC removes more than 4000 cartridges annually for recycling.  Ink cartridges can be refilled for a fraction of the cost of a new printer cartridge.  If you are interested in refilling your ink cartridges, contact Ribbons Recycled Inc. at 506-870-0291 or 1-800-808-5622.

Paint

            Unused paint makes up approximately 75 % of waste collected at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot and Mobile Unit.  Old paint can be recycled into new paint.  Recycled paint is made by re-blending unused paint.  Unused paint is separated by colour and by type and then sent for processing.  Paint collected by WASWC is mixed with paint from other paint recycling initiatives, and sold under the name “Laurentide”.  Laurentide’s Boomerang paint brand retails at a fraction of the price of new paint, is of similar quality and can be purchased in a variety of colours.

            Metals diverted from landfill are sent for scrap metal recycling.  WASWC recovers metals from the construction and demolition area and from the Dry Plant.  The metals recycling area was one of the first recycling programs started at WASWC.  Scrap metals are sent to smelters where they are used in the production of new metals.  White goods are included in the metals recycling area.  White goods consist mostly of household appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers and stoves, some of which contain CFC’s.  CFC’s are removed before being sent for recycling.

·         1999 – 605 tonnes recovered

·         2000 – 891 tonnes recovered

·         2003 – 1 515 tonnes recovered

·         2007 – 1400 tonnes recovered

          Recovered, untreated wood is mulched and used for on-site purposes.  Most wood is recovered through the construction and demolition area.  Mulched wood is used for fuel for the wood-fired boiler that heats the facility, as a compost enhancer in the composting process, as cover for wet waste during the wet season and as daily cover for the landfill.

            Household hazardous waste can be brought to the Westmorland-Albert Solid Waste household hazardous waste depot located on the site, on Fridays, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and Saturdays, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  This is a free service to residents with hazardous waste from their households.

            In May and October, the Westmorland-Albert Mobile Hazardous Waste Recovery Unit travels to each community in Westmorland and Albert counties, with one collection in both Kent and Kings counties.  This service is provided free of charge and provides a convenient way for residents to drop off their hazardous waste.

            Check our Calendar of Events section on the homepage in April and September for dates and locations.

Cardboard Recycling Newspaper Recycling Newspaper Recycling Facts Paper Recycling Paper Recycling Facts Plastic Recycling Plastic Recycling Facts Milk Carton Recycling Milk Carton Recycling Facts Sneaker Recycling Sneaker Recycling Facts Tire Recycling Tire Recycling Facts

Tim Horton's Coffee Cup Recycling Program Cell Phone Recycling Rechargeable Battery Recycling Christmas Tree Mulching Electronic Recycling Electronic Recycling Facts Ink Cartridges Paint Metals Recycling Metals Recycling Facts Wood Household Hazardous Waste