Moncton residents now have more options at recycling centre
An automated recycling depot in Moncton is about to add some new options that will allow people to drop off corrugated cardboard and used electronics and or electronic waste.
Pierre Landry, the general manager of Encorp Atlantic, says the company's unmanned recycling centres currently take drinking containers only.
But starting in February, facilities will be added that accept the new material.
The process will remain similar to the current process for its users. By scanning a customer's card, a door will unlock in the storage container and users simply drop off the materials.
The biggest difference is that unlike drinking containers, users are not compensated for disposing their old VCR or the box it came in. Recycling, in this case, is its own reward.
Landry says the company's goal is to develop a recycling centre environment where the public can drop off a variety of materials for recycling and safe disposal.
"Most people have a lot of corrugated cardboard because it's a pretty common packaging material," Landry said.
"Used electronics, on the other hand, might not be as common, but materials found in them, like lead soldering, pose a much higher environmental hazard."
New e-waste program coming soon
With the province's electronic waste program not due to come online until later this year. Landry calls it "somewhat complex."
A streamlined e-waste recycling facility fills a void, Landry said.
Dieppe's Jason Rudolph uses the recycling centre regularly. He says accepting new materials for safe disposal is a welcome addition.
"I think it's a great idea," Rudolph said as he visited the Mountain Road centre.
"It's a good way to keep the neighbourhood clean, your house clean and everything else."
Rudolph says he isn't disappointed he won't get any money back for dropping off a stack of cardboard. For Rudolph, time is money.
"The convenience of being able to drop things off on your own without having to wait for staff is nice," he says.
Landry says his company will likely have to pay to get rid of the additional materials but says the revenue generated from drinking containers will hopefully offset those costs.
At the end of the day, the goal is greener living.
"This might be a loss leader of sorts, where we will be able to attract more customers to this type of approach, this type of platform," says Landry.
"And most importantly, it will be convenient and that will be a happy customer."
Landry says he hopes the program will help shape policies that will benefit the public, industry and government for decades to come.
