Region of Peel Recycling Info

Region of Peel Front-End Recycling Bins - A Comprehensive Overview

The Region of Peel provides front-end recycling containers to facilitate waste diversion and ensure proper recycling practices. These containers are serviced weekly by the region's contracted waste management provider Miller Waste (millerwaste.ca) and are located in Mississauga and Brampton.

Bin Design

Peel Region's front-end recycling containers are blue metal bins with clear labeling and user-friendly features. At the top of the container, there is bold white text that reads "Recyclables Only" on the left and "No Garbage" on the right to avoid misuse. A drop-down slot door is also located at the front of the bin, allowing residents to properly dispose of recyclable items. The door is held at an angle by two support wires and there is a locking clasp mechanism on the right side of the slot that can be engaged to secure the door closed if needed.

A large instructional poster is attached to the center of the bin to help residents properly sort recyclables. This poster features various images of acceptable recyclable items and advises to rinse containers and remove lids before disposal. Some bins have a version of this poster that includes additional text at the bottom, stating: "Do not place recyclable items in garbage, grocery, or shopping bags", it's possible that this message was added in an updated version of the poster.

Each bin also has a 4-digit identifier (e.g., RP1547) printed on the right-hand side. Below this identifier, a grey RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) antenna is installed to track collection frequency and weight. The information collected includes the size of the container and its type. The weight of the material collected, and the location where the collection took place are also collected. At the bottom of the bin, contact information for the Region of Peel is provided, including the official phone number and website for assistance or information.

The lids are equipped with locking chains and are intended to be locked at all times to prevent recycling contamination and oversized items from being improperly placed inside the container, restricting access to the built in slot on the front, which is wide enough to fit only acceptable items. To lock the bin, a padlock is used to connect the locking chains from both lids as it sits on the hook of the container. The lids must be unlocked before recycling collection to allow emptying and then re-locked afterward.

These bins come in sizes 3yrd, 4yrd, and 6yrd (third size comes in slanted or flat-top) to accommodate various needs, they are equipped with wheels by default, while some are stationary. The wheels are designed for easier mobility by having two swivel casters (with brakes) on one side, allowing for easier directional changes, and two rigid casters on the other side, for stability and controlled movement. A tow hitch is included on the side of the bin, allowing for easier movement with the use of a bin tug.

Manufacturing

These front-end recycling bins are manufactured by Metro Compactor, a company that specializes in waste and recycling equipment. The original lids on the container were supplied by Preferred Recycling Equipment (preferredrecyclingequipment.com). However, over time, the lids were later changed to Manser Welding (manserwelding.com) ones, which have improvements over the older ones such as front/side handles for easier opening, four hinge points rather than three for added strength, and extra-strong double-walled construction for improved durability.

History

Peel Region's recycling bins have undergone changes in the past, the old design was navy blue and had a push-open slot door that tipped inwards into the container. The labels "Recyclables Only" and "No Garbage" were printed on the slot door itself. The newer design features a drop-down slot door, and the aforementioned labels being moved from the slot door to the top of the bin. Due to some concerns about the old slot design being somewhat difficult to use, the slot door was updated to the new design so residents can freely empty their recyclables into the bin. The colour of the container was also changed to a light shade of blue to help distinguish it from similarly coloured garbage bins.

In a later design update (most likely 2024), the poster at the center of the bin was removed and the colour was changed to a darker yet still relatively light shade of blue. The lids were also replaced with the ones made by Manser Welding (manserwelding.com) and the wheels were changed to the yellow ones Metro Compactor uses.

Additional information

• Items can sometimes be left on the lip of the slot or directly in front of it (especially when the bin is full), which can obstruct access (view example). To prevent this, residents should (if possible) push recyclables to the back of the bin when disposing of them, ensuring the slot remains clear for the use of other tenants.
• In rare cases, some bins may have missing support wires on the slot door, causing it to hang fully downward. This can be caused by vandalism, wear and tear, or failure to secure the slot door during collection. A missing support wire can result in items spilling out the bin and should usually be repaired.
• While the slot is designed to fit only acceptable items, smaller contaminants such as coffee cups, grocery bags, dog waste bags, food waste, wrappers, etc. can still fit inside. Residents are advised to avoid placing these items in the bin to prevent misuse and contamination of recyclables.