TERRACE has a new place to take common recyclables.
The Kermodei Tourism Society's visitor information centre on Keith Ave. has set up recycling bins primarily for tourist use but also open to anyone else.
Visitor centre manager Erin Dunbar said the need became apparent after realizing tourists and visitors were emptying waste, recyclable or not, in garbage bins throughout the city.
Having the bins located with the sani-dump facility at the visitor centre made sense, explained Eric Anderson, a second-year employee at the centre.
“Then the recycling is really convenient,” he said.
Residents of Terrace are welcome to use the bins as well.
And because the centre is located right across Keith from Waste Management's compound, anything that can't be recycled can be easily taken there for disposal.
Right now, the centre is equipped to accept paper, plastic, cans and bottles and staff is working to develop a system to accept batteries and old paint.
Lloyd McGovern from Bandstra Transportation, who was at a July 18 barbecue held to promote the visitor centre bins, said people don't always know where to take their recyclables.
“We get phoned all the time,” he said. And without knowing where to go, “people are always taking stuff to the dump.”
“We'll be setting up workshops to teach people how to recycle,” said Dunbar. The workshops are intended to include the community as well as visitors.
Money for the bins comes from the Kitimat-Stikine regional district's Zero Waste Program.
Approximately 100 people turned out for the July 18 barbecue held to promote the visitor centre's recycling effort.