If you look at the big picture of what it takes to create a product from scratch - to get the raw materials, transport them, process them and manufacture them - creating goods with recycled material is a major energy saver.
Hundreds of citizens have been recycling for years and the City of North Battleford is hoping others will get on board.
"There are three drop-off locations - the Frontier Mall, Territorial Place Mall and the waste management facility," said Sasha Nighttraveller, City of North Battleford environmental technologist.
"Acceptable recyclable materials include glass, cardboard, mixed paper, newsprint, tin cans and cardboard milk jugs."
From the drop-off locations, the paper materials are hauled to and stored at K and B Construction. All other materials are transported to and stored at the waste management facility. All material is eventually shipped to Seattle, Wash. for reprocessing.
"The only unacceptable recyclable material at this point is hard plastic such as laundry detergent containers. North Battleford residents just do not utilize enough hard plastic containers to justify the cost of shipping," said Nighttraveller.
Statistics show residents of North Battleford are recycling more and more every year. For example, in 2009, the City sent 2,298,372 kilograms of paper for reprocessing. In 2010, 2,387,219 kilograms of paper was recycled. 250 tonnes of metals, including tin cans, were recycled in 2010.
In addition to recycling, the City of North Battleford offers compost drop-off locations from Spring until Fall, Christmas Tree Recycling every January and Hazardous Material Waste Day in the Spring, where residents can dispose of paint, aerosol cans and rechargeable batteries.
- Provided by the City of North Battleford
