Mission, BC—Sorting it right is the new normal in curbside recycling bins across the community, as Mission residents drastically lower contamination rates to a level that now beats Recycle BC’s new maximum allowable contamination rate.
This major achievement is thanks to the hard work of residents, the contractor, and the City’s multi-faceted public education campaign. Less contamination is not only better for the environment, but it also saved the City of Mission from being fined by Recycle BC if contamination rates didn’t decrease by 25% by the end of 2025.
“Caring for our environment is a priority us here in Mission, and that’s why we have set ambitious goals for diverting waste away from our landfills,” said Mayor Paul Horn. “It only takes a moment to ensure that we are not contaminating our recyclables, but it has a major impact on keeping Mission green. Please make sure your recycling efforts aren’t going to waste and only put the good stuff in your bin.”
By working together, we decreased contamination in recycling by over 40% from a baseline of 7.44%, achieving an average contamination rate of 4.46% for the year. This significant reduction positions Mission well below Recycle BC’s new maximum allowable contamination rate of 5%. As a result, the City has not only avoided Service Level Failure Credits but will also not be required to participate in a Contamination Reduction Program (CRP) cycle in 2025, which is a testament to the community’s concerted efforts to recycle right.
“Recycle BC would like to take the opportunity to congratulate and thank the City of Mission for it’s hard work and effort in reducing recycling contamination,” said Kairi Sibul, Manager of Special Projects at Recycle BC.
The City’s ongoing education and awareness campaigns have played a critical role in reaching this milestone. Residents are encouraged to keep up the great work by continuing to sort their waste correctly.
We shared a positive update about this campaign last summer, and are happy to report that the momentum kept going.
For more information about the City’s recycling programs and guidelines, please visit our Curbside Collection page or download the RecycleCoach app.