ASSINIBOIA — While Earth Day is still weeks away, upcoming in April, it is important reminder to Saskatchewan residents that they have multiple recycling options, as opposed to clogging up landfills.
Global Recycling Day was recognized March 18 and people were asked to join the movement to make a positive impact on our planet, allowing the perfect opportunity to reflect on our habits, while making sustainable choices.
Recycling awareness helps residents learn how to turn small actions into big environmental impact.
Households can undertake simple steps to help contribute to a greener plant. Reduce single use plastics and if you are using this product, make sure you recycle either at SARCAN or your blue bin. Make a habit of using your own water bottle or coffee mug and ditch those plastic straws. Embrace eco friendly, and/or reusable containers and cutlery.
Look for recycled products when making purchases, as well as making a habit out of reusable grocery bags. Create new habits out of purchasing less disposable product and opt for durable items to reduce waste.
Repurpose and upcycle by giving old items new life. There are hundreds of ideas on websites for making something useful out of products no longer used or needed.
Look no further than your own community for a number of options to help your household reduce, reuse and recycle.
Several recycling options in Assiniboia
The Town of Assiniboia has curbside recycling with the blue bin pickup. Blue bins can accept cardboard, boxboard, office paper, newsprint, junk mail, magazines, catalogues, shredded paper in clear bags, plastic containers, plastic milk jugs, juice cartons, tin, aluminum and glass.
An important reminder that there are items not accepted in blue bins. This includes clamshell containers No. 1, oil containers or chemical jugs, lightbulbs, plastic bags or stretch wrap, wood and metal scrap, diapers, Styrofoam, plastic utensils, hoses and rubber items, toys, clothing, food and garbage. Some of these items are now part of acceptable material at SARCAN locations.
The TOA also reminds residents that garbage bins are for bagged household garbage only. items not accepted are lumber and construction material, metal or any item sticking out of the bin as the lid must be closed for Lorass to pick it up.
The town also says, they have offered a free tipping day at the landfill, however they have not had those discussions yet this year.
The Sask. Waste Reduction Centre has a hub where you can enter your community and the material you are looking to recycle and your search will show you the nearest locations this product can be safely recycled at.
Lightbulbs can be recycled as near as Rona in Moose Jaw.
Used oil, when searched in SWRC website, shows a number of surrounding communities like Mossbank, Gravelbourg, Rockglen and Moose Jaw that accept this product.
SARCAN has added to their product list of accepted items beyond bottles and beverage containers which include paint, electronics, batteries, plastic bottle lids and have recently added specific Styrofoam and plastics. Check out their website for a complete list of recyclable products.
All TOA facilities have bottle and can recycling bins with the town utilizing drop-and-go options at SARCAN, with the money going back into recreation programming.
SARCAN reminds Saskatchewan residents in addition to beverage containers they take, people can also include household paints, electronics and batteries for recycling.
Assiniboia’s Salvation Army Thrift Store location accepts gently used clothing. There are also options through community diabetes pick-up days or taking items to a larger centre, as close as Moose Jaw, where there are drop-off bins for diabetes (blue bin) and Community Living (yellow bin).
Garage sales, freecycle days and social media sites are a great way to repurpose no longer used/wanted items in your house.
Silent H Trading Post in Assiniboia offers consignment clothing options for gently used apparel.
Looking to repurpose old suits and formal wear or out-of-date apparel – check with your school’s drama department as often they are looking for items that may fit their next live theatre production
The SWRC website shows Kal Tire accepts used tires for recycling but it is best to check with that location and what is acceptable.
Use networking opportunities, either in person or on community social media pages, that can help share tips and tricks for recycling and reusing.
What each person needs to do is take ownership in seeking out answers to what items are accepted and where and how they can be recycled or reused, as it is up to all of us to take part in these practises for our future and the future of generations to come. Refusing to reuse results in an Earth that is abused.
