As such, region waste management officials have asked councillors to consider launching a campaign to reeducate homeowners on appropriate trash etiquette.

"We've seen an increase in the amount of non-recyclable materials delivered to the recycling plant," said Andy Pollock, Peel's director of waste management. "There just seems to be a lot of obvious non-recyclable material. And I'm not talking about the plastic package that looks like it's recyclable.
I am talking about things like garden hoses and toasters; things that are obviously visibly non-recyclable and should be left behind."  

Pollock met with waste management committee members to discuss several trash-related issues, including an increase in non-recyclable material making its way into blue recycling boxes.

Pollock said it is impossible not to have non-recyclables turn up in the mix.

In that respect, the acceptable number ranges between five and 10 per cent.

But in 2007, the percentage of non-recyclable trash that filtered into Peel's sorting facility reached 14 per cent.

"It's too high," Pollock said. "When you get those high levels of non-recyclable materials it slows down the productivity of the plant and prevents you from capturing the materials you want to capture."

Propane canisters, scrap metal, hair dryers, medical waste, shoes and stereo equipment are some of the prohibited items that have turned up at the recycling facility, Pollock said.  

Pollock acknowledged that part of the problem rests with the people who collect the trash.

Contractors are supposed to enforce proper recycling practices by leaving "obvious" unacceptable materials behind.

But homeowners should really make the effort to separate recyclables from the non-recyclable garbage, he said. 



Pollock suggested politicians move ahead with a remedy.

"We want to reduce the amount of material coming into the recycling plant through better enforcement at the curb and also some kind of incentive program to reward residents for doing the whole process properly," said Pollock who suggested Peel perhaps reward good behaviour with a gold recycling box.  

"We want to find a way to reward people for doing it right, rather than just continually penalizing those who do it wrong," he said. "If they think they are a good recycler they can enter into this contest. If it's perfectly done they actually get this gold box and some kind of cash prize. This would be linked to a much larger (education and advertising) campaign."  

The idea didn't take.

"My feeling is the reward is that my garbage gets picked up," said Mississauga councillor Pat Mullin. "It is interesting that we are still in this situation as to what we can put in (the blue box) and what we can't put in after all this time. If the percentage is what you say it is then we have to get back to the educational component. That's where we got to put our energy. I am not supportive of a rewards system quite frankly. We are adults and we should be getting it right. And I wouldn't want a gold box even if I did get it right."

Elaine Moore, regional councillor representing Brampton wards 1 and 5, said accountability must rest with the homeowner.

She suggested waste collectors start sticking large notes on recycling boxes advising homeowners when non-recycling materials are placed in the bins.

The note could boast a telephone number that residents can call and have a regional employee come out and fill them in on proper practices, she said.  

"The reward is a healthier environment at the end of the day," Moore stated. "Recycling and helping the environment is reward enough."  

Pollock advised the committee that Peel will beef up quality control checks to make sure waste collectors leave unacceptable items at the curb.

He also said region staff will continue to work on a communications strategy that will promote better recycling.