A new recycling program is being tested out.
The City of Timmins will run a six-month pilot project with Goat Transportation to recycle mattresses and box springs.
At the March 9 meeting, manager of environmental services Scott Tam told council the department is looking at way to increase the city's waste diversion.
“Mattresses don’t really compact as well in the landfill, so they take up a lot of space," he said, adding the pilot will help staff decide if it's beneficial.
The staff report also notes mattresses have been a "nuisance to landfill operations, reducing efficiency as the springs have caused issues with equipment."
For the program, a 20-foot container will be put at the Deloro landfill on Pine Street South to collect the items. It will be provided by True North Recycling, a subsidiary of Goat Transport. To be accepted, mattresses and box springs have to be securely wrapped in plastic. Wet, excessively soiled, or mattresses with biohazards would not be accepted.
The pilot program also means mattresses and box springs are taken out of the spring cleanup program, which is currently scheduled to start May 19 and run for nine days.
