Weekend recycling program aims to keep Ottawa clean

Just like after any big party, there will be some cleaning up to do after the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend.

But with help from Cascades Recovery and the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA), it will be easier than ever to recycle cups, banana peels, thermal blankets and other disposable items after the races.

While helping keep our city tidy, this year’s enhanced recycling program will also reduce the environmental impact of the race.

“So much of what this weekend is all about is health and well-being, so it’s natural that we try and extend that to the environment as well,” said race director John Halvorsen.

As huge events that draws hundreds of thousands of people, Halvorsen said that marathons and races around the world are looking at ways to reduce their environmental footprint.

With new recycling technology and programs, many discarded items that would have ended up in a landfill before can now be repurposed and reused.

WHAT GETS RECYCLED AND WHERE

In front of City Hall and at Confederation Park across the street, be on the lookout for large recycling bins labeled for paper, plastics, organics, and thermal blankets.

If you’re not sure where to put a particular item, check with one of the recycling volunteers who will be nearby helping out.

Making it easy for people to find and use the recycling bins is big part of any of any successful recycling program according to Krista Friesen, vice president of sustainability at CPIA.

“We think most people want to take the time to recycle properly, so our job is to make sure it’s easy for them to find the bins and clear about what goes where,” she said.

Volunteers at the hydration stations along the route will also be collecting used cups and food packaging discarded during the races.

WORKING WITH THE BEST

Working with two industry leaders to develop the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend’s recycling program means a huge percentage of all the discarded material collected during the weekend will be recycled.

When it comes to recycling, Cascades Recovery is one of the leading waste management companies in North America, handling over 1.56 millions tons of recyclable materials every year.

While as the voice for Canada’s plastic industry, the CPIA finds ways to keep plastics out of landfills and develops environmentally and economically sustainable plastic management programs.

Find out more about Cascades Recovery and the Canadian Plastics Industry Association.

Whether you’re running or spectating at this year’s Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, thank you for recycling and keeping Ottawa looking beautiful.