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Background / Accomplishments
of Westman Recycling
Mission
Statement: “To support and promote the reduction, re-use, and
recycling of material resources for the benefit of Westman’s
environment and future generations.”
• Started by a small group of avid recyclers
with financial and volunteer help from the Kiwanis Club of Brandon.
Volunteers organized the first outdoor recycling depots in 1989.
• Incorporated in 1990; became a registered charity in 1995.
• Time line:
- Irregular outdoor depots: 1989 - 1991.
- Weekly outdoor depot at Shoppers Mall: May, 1991 - Sept, 1992.
- Depot and processing centre, 6th and Pacific: Sept, 1992 - April, 2003.
- Material Recovery Facility, Eastview Landfill: April, 2003 - Feb, 2006.
• Diverted over 35,000 tonnes of recyclable
materials from the garbage to be made into usable new materials.
• Generated $7 million of economic activity for the Westman area.
• Provided opportunities for hundreds of people
for volunteer work, community service, job skill development, and paid
employment.
• Partnered with the federal, provincial, and
municipal governments; the Manitoba Product Stewardship Corporation
(MPSC); other organizations; businesses; and - most importantly -
the citizens, in recycling efforts throughout Westman.
• Partnered with the City of Brandon for many years. While Westman Recycling operated the Material Recovery Facility,
the City of Brandon received an recycling grade of “A+”
from MPSC, and the City of Brandon per tonne recycling costs were among
the lowest in the province outside of Winnipeg.
• In 2005 (Westman Recycling’s last full year), MPSC reported that 4,648
tonnes of material were recycled in Brandon. In 2007, the total had
dropped to only 2,470 tonnes. MPSC lowered the City of Brandon’s
recycling grade from an “A+” to an “A.” (MPSC reports)
• Promoted community education: toured 3,000
visitors through the Material Recovery Facility, school and public
presentations, media coverage, and more.
• Promoted benefits of recycling: resource
conservation, pollution prevention, landfill space preservation,
generation of funds from sale of recyclables, creation of employment,
development of community knowledge and infrastructure, and citizen
education and involvement.
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