First Grunthal, now New Bothwell. In a span of one month, those two communities announced their decision to remove their recycling depots.

The service in Grunthal was discontinued June 1st after it was determined the community recycling bins at the fire hall were being filled with too many non-recyclables on a regular basis. New Bothwell has now announced it will do the same, beginning June 30th.

Pete Hiebert is Ward 1 Councillor, which is made up of the New Bothwell area. He explains for many years the recycling bins were located on the north side of the fire hall. Then, about two months ago they were relocated to the rec grounds. Hiebert explains at both locations they took a lot of abuse, with too many non-recyclables being tossed in.

According to Hiebert, this is a deliberate act of breaking the rules.

"There is a sign that says exactly what can be recycled and what can't be recycled," he says. "I think it's more blatant, just 'I'll put my garbage where I want to put it,' that kind of attitude."

Hiebert calls it unfortunate, noting there are a lot of people from the rural area that drop off their recycling there. Because New Bothwell uses the recycling tote service, this should not have much impact to residents of the community. But, for those living outside New Bothwell, they are encouraged to drop off their recyclables at community depots in Mitchell, Kleefeld, Friedensfeld or the Steinbach landfill, beginning June 30th.

"It's always nice to have something local to recycle with, but right now it's just more work than it's worth and they will just have to find other ways," he says.

Hiebert says the bins are usually full of recyclables each week, but with all of the extra garbage thrown in, it is not fair on those who provide the service.

"The residents that live close by will be very happy because they are seeing the abuse of it and it's never nice to see abuse of any service," says Hiebert. "But the people that are using it will definitely not be happy about it."

(Sign placed atop the recycling bins in New Bothwell.)

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Grunthal Recycling Bin Soon To Be Gone