Busting bin myths: What really happens to your recycling in Manitoba
Let’s clear the air about some common recycling myths that belong in the trash
June 5th is World Environment Day. For the past five decades, this global event has celebrated environmental protection by raising awareness and promoting action to make the world healthier. Yet, even with these efforts, skeptics and those not recycling-aware still circulate myths and false information. Let’s clear the air about some common recycling myths that belong in the trash.
One piece of garbage ruins the whole bin — so why bother?
In reality, modern Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) can effectively manage small levels of contamination when trash accidentally mixes with recyclable beverage containers. While this is not ideal, it's reassuring to know that if a non-recyclable item ends up in the bin, most beverage containers can still be successfully recovered through advanced sorting systems. One misplaced item won’t necessarily mean that everything ends up in a landfill.
Containers are organized and cleaned through multi-step MRF systems that combine manual and automated methods right here in Manitoba. During the pre-sorting phase, unwanted items are discarded manually before materials are processed through a system that uses automated sorting robots equipped with sensors to analyze recyclable beverage materials at ultra-high speeds. Cutting-edge technology enables optical sorting and other processes to organize recyclables while pinpointing non-recyclable items efficiently.
The truck picks up garbage and recycling together — it all ends up in the dump
Co-collection occurs in some areas, but the streams are still sorted at facilities using high-tech systems. Shared trucks do not mean mixed waste. Split-body trucks are equipped with two compartments in the rear—one for garbage and one for recyclables. This innovative system allows the driver to manage the flow of waste, ensuring that trash stays in its designated compartment while recyclables have their own space. Even when co-collected, beverage containers remain in a separate stream and are properly sorted and recycled through Manitoba’s recycling infrastructure. Split-body trucks provide efficiency and environmental benefits, as they help reduce fuel consumption and the number of trucks on the road.
People would recycle more than they do already if they got paid back
Manitoba’s PET plastic bottle recovery rates are among the highest in Canada, and impressively, this achievement is accomplished without a deposit system. Money-back systems aren’t the only factors contributing to notable recycling rates. Manitobans achieve strong beverage container recovery rates without a deposit system, thanks to education, convenience, and widespread access to Recycle Everywhere bins. This ensures the program has the lowest cost-per-unit in Canada, saving money while delivering results we can all be proud of.
Canadian Beverage Container Recycling Association (CBCRA)
It doesn’t stay in Manitoba anyway
All beverage containers recycled in Manitoba are sorted locally, which supports jobs and the circular economy. Since 2010, Recycle Everywhere has invested $75 million to improve recycling effectiveness in Manitoba and has contributed $25 million to cover the costs of managing beverage containers in curbside recycling programs, creating approximately 270 jobs.
Recycling doesn’t make a difference
It does make a difference. Aluminium, for example, is endlessly recyclable, saving up to an impressive 95 per cent of energy compared to new production. Producing new glass bottles requires many resources, but luckily, facilities can recycle glass repeatedly without losing purity or quality. Cartons and juice boxes may seem tricky, as they contain paper, aluminium lining, and plastic coatings. Still, state-of-the-art equipment can separate these materials, and about 80 per cent of the original carton is recycled. Recycling beverage containers reduces landfill waste, conserves energy, and turns used cans and bottles into new ones—again and again.
It gets thrown out even when done right — it’s a scam
There are absolutely no scams here. Manitoba takes pride in responsibly sorting, selling, and reusing the recycled materials from beverage containers. The Recycle Everywhere program, by placing recycling bins throughout the province, helps to reduce litter overall by as much as an 84 per cent reduction in some places. Beverage containers collected in a Recycle Everywhere bin are sorted responsibly, with strong oversight and transparent reporting. This also helps keep Manitoba beautiful.
