“Puslinch Waste Audit Reveals High Recovery Rates but Polycoat Coffee Cups Identified as Top Contaminant”

Accident – death – Obituary News : Polycoat coffee cups have been identified as the primary contaminant in the recycling efforts of Puslinch Township, according to a recent waste audit. The audit, conducted by Reclay StewardEdge and funded by Blue Triton Brands Canada (formerly Nestlé Waters Canada), aimed to assess the effectiveness of the township’s public space waste reduction and recovery strategy.

The comprehensive waste audit report, set to be presented to the council on Wednesday, highlights the impressive results achieved by the township’s recycling initiative. Despite facing delays due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and public facility limitations, the program has managed to achieve low contamination rates and above-average recovery rates for select recyclables.

To implement the initiative, the township distributed a total of 30 general-use recycling bins, 25 dual-stream public space bins, and five indoor dual-stream bins across various public areas in Puslinch. The dual-stream bins were strategically placed in three locations: Badenoch Soccer Field, Morriston Meadows Park, and the Puslinch Community Centre.

The audit revealed that all three locations achieved beverage container recovery rates exceeding 80%, which is considered above average for public spaces in Canada. While the report focused primarily on beverage container recovery rates, it did mention that contamination rates in the township’s public spaces were “well below” the average of 30%. However, it highlighted polycoat coffee cups as the top contaminant.

Moving forward, the Reclay StewardEdge (RSE) recommends additional promotion and education initiatives to improve recycling practices within the community. The RSE also suggests issuing annual reports to the public, providing information on community engagement, capture rates, and contamination rates. Moreover, the report emphasized the need for all recycling bins to use clear bags, as the audited bins were found to be using black bags instead.

To ensure the success of the township’s recycling efforts, it is crucial to raise awareness and educate residents about proper recycling practices. By doing so, Puslinch Township can continue to reduce contamination rates, increase recovery rates, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Isabel Buckmaster, the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday, provided this news article. The Local Journalism Initiative is a federally-funded program that supports local journalism efforts..