The City of Brandon has recently introduced a new diversion depot to reduce the amount of household waste going to its landfill. In a ceremony held on Friday at the Eastview Landfill, officials inaugurated the depot, which serves as a centralized drop-off point for various recyclable materials such as mixed recycling, electronics, tires, scrap metal, and organic waste like food scraps.
According to a city news release, the facility is aimed at enhancing recycling initiatives by simplifying services and handling the increasing volume of recyclable waste in Brandon. Mayor Jeff Fawcett highlighted the depot’s significance in enabling residents to recycle a broader range of items, including mattresses that occupy significant landfill space.
The depot is strategically located before the landfill entrance, guiding visitors through the recycling process with assistance from staff to identify recyclable materials and their respective disposal locations. Accepted materials at the facility include mixed recycling, organics, scrap metal, clean wood, tires, electronic waste, propane tanks, and more.
While the depot services are free of charge, residential disposal fees remain applicable for general waste and non-recyclable items. For instance, the disposal fee for general waste up to 200 kilograms is $8, with an additional $31 fee for appliances containing freon. The project received $400,000 in funding from the province to support waste diversion efforts by the city.
Brandon East MLA and Minister of Municipal Affairs, Glen Simard, expressed the province’s satisfaction in backing Brandon’s waste diversion initiative. A grand opening event is scheduled for Saturday, offering residents the opportunity to tour the facility and learn about proper waste management practices to reduce landfill waste.