Recycling and Waste Reduction Guide

The City of Portage la Prairie is strongly committed to being environmentally responsible and offers several programs in this regard.

Since 1995, the City has implemented the "Waste Matters" Program, a partial user-pay system of collecting solid waste from the curb, along with a voluntary curbside recycling program. Each household within the City currently pays, on their annual utility bill, $90 for solid waste collection and $40 for recycling collection. This program was undertaken with a goal of 50% residential waste reduction, as legislated by the Province of Manitoba. The City is currently at approximately 31% residential waste diversion from the landfill, with the waste diversion rate being 66 kg per capita, per year.

The City provides free curbside Yard Waste Collection for 4 weeks each Spring and for 6 weeks each Fall; a compost site for year-round yard waste drop-off; Christmas Tree collection; and a Tree Waste Disposal site; along with free finished compost being available to residents. 

City residents can drop off electronic waste at the Portage and District Recycling Depot, 700 Phillips Street, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The purpose of the program is to collect E-waste for proper recycling and prevent it from being deposited in landfills.

The City has partnered with the Canadian Beverage Container Recycling Association and Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba to be part of the Recycle Everywhere program. Over 200 bins have been distributed throughout the City’s parks and public facilities to encourage recycling of beverage containers in public places. The goal of the program is to divert and recycle 75% of all beverage containers from the landfill. 

Achieving waste reduction goals requires an effort from every individual. A slight change in lifestyle can have a profound effect upon the volume of refuse being generated. Thank you for your efforts in recycling and reducing waste, and in keeping our City clean and beautiful.

SOLID WASTE COLLECTION PROGRAM

Collection Days

Our residential collection crews work on a five-day cycle, Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to approximately 4:30 p.m. Following statutory holidays, your collection day shifts ahead one day. Each household is provided with a solid waste collection schedule that clearly outlines your collection days. Collection schedules are also available on the City website at www.city-plap.com.

Solid Waste Collection Tags

There is a two-bag/can limit on the amount of solid waste that will be picked up from the curb each collection day. Anything over that amount must have a Solid Waste Collection Tag affixed. These tags can be purchased from various retail outlets throughout the City, at the Operations Department office and at City Hall.

Christmas Holidays

There is a limit of four-bags/cans per household on the first collection day after the Christmas Holiday, on your regular scheduled solid waste collection day.

Size of Containers (Bags/Cans)

If you use a waste container, it must not be more than 100 litre (22 gallon) capacity and must not weigh more than 25 kilograms (55 pounds). If you use a plastic bag, maximum size shall be 66 centimetres by 91 centimetres (26 inches by 36 inches) and must not weigh more than 18 kilograms (40 pounds).

Bulky Items

You may place on the curb, bulky items such as appliances, furniture, auto parts and large crates, not exceeding 45 kilograms (100 pounds) in weight. These items must be affixed with a waste collection tag, on your regular solid waste collection day. Any bulky item larger than 45 kilograms (100 pounds) is to be disposed of by the owner. 

Tree Trimmings

We encourage people to take tree trimmings to the Tree Disposal Site, however, they may also be placed out for collection and they will be directed to the landfill. They must be bundled and branches are to be no larger than 10 centimetres (4 inches) in diameter, no heavier than 35 kilograms (75 pounds) in weight, and no longer than 4 feet. Tree trimmings must be affixed with a waste collection tag. 

You Can Help

We are committed to providing you with reliable solid waste collection service. You can help by storing and packaging your solid waste properly. Please follow these tips:

• Do not place your solid waste out for collection before 8:00 p.m. the day prior to your collection day, but please have it out by 7:00 a.m. on collection day.
• Place your solid waste as close as possible to the street in front of your residence, but not on a sidewalk or in any location that will interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Containers should be removed from the boulevard on your collection day to avoid interfering with or being damaged by snow clearing operations.
• Securely wrap household wastes such as meat or vegetable waste before placing it in a waste container.
• Bulky items containing chlorofluorocarbons, such as freon, must have the substance removed by a certified tradesman and be tagged accordingly prior to collection.
• Construction and demolition waste must be disposed of at the Portage Regional Landfill Site.

RECYCLING PROGRAM - COLLECTION OF RECYCLABLES

The City provides curbside collection of recyclables to single and multiple-family dwellings on a bi-weekly basis, on your regular solid waste collection day. Recycling is voluntary but encouraged. All recyclables must be placed in a recycling box, with a maximum of four recycling boxes allowed per single family dwelling.

This program is partially funded through Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba (MMSM) and the eligible materials are determined by MMSM. Items that are currently accepted in the recycling boxes are:

1. NEWSPAPERS/OFFICE PAPER – including bond paper, shredded paper (in clear plastic sealed bag), flyers & inserts, paper gift bags, non-shiny gift wrapping.
2. MAGAZINES/CATALOGUES – including glossy paper publications.
3. TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES
4. BOXBOARD – including all paperboard boxes (e.g. cereal boxes, laundry detergent boxes, toy boxes, shoe boxes, etc.) Please collapse all boxes.
5. CORRUGATED CARDBOARD – (e.g. pizza boxes) Please collapse boxes.
6. ALUMINUM CONTAINERS – including all rigid aluminum containers.
7. STEEL/TIN CONTAINERS – including all steel food/beverage cans.
8. GLASS CONTAINERS – including all liquor bottles and glass jars. (Please remove lids)
9. GABLETOP BEVERAGE CARTONS – including milk, milk products and juice cartons.
10. BRICK STYLE (tetra-pak) BEVERAGE CONTAINERS – Please rinse and flatten.
11. COFFEE CUPS & LIDS – (Tim Horton’s / McDonalds)
12. PET or #1 plastic CONTAINERS – including soft drink bottles, some food product and personal care product containers.
13. HDPE or #2 plastic CONTAINERS – including milk jugs, some food product and some personal care product containers (pain medication & vitamin bottles).
14. LDPE # 4 plastic CONTAINERS and LIDS – including lids from containers normally used for margarine, yogurt, and other food products.
15. PP #5 plastic CONTAINERS – including containers normally used for margarine, yogurt and other food products.
16. #7 plastic CONTAINERS – including ketchup, syrup containers and straws.

Currently, the following materials will not be accepted in the recycling boxes:

• Polystyrene containers and packing materials
• Plastic film, plastic bags
• Aluminium foil
• Styrofoam

Please rinse all recycling products. If you are unsure of the type of plastic, the number is located on the bottom of all plastic containers. Please collapse all cardboard and boxboard boxes, and remove packing tape.

Place your recycling boxes as close as possible to the street but not on a sidewalk or any location that will interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Please place your recycling boxes out prior to 7:00 a.m. on collection day, but no earlier than 8:00 p.m. the day before collection. Containers should be removed from the boulevard on your collection day to avoid interfering with or being damaged by snow clearing operations.

RECYCLING DEPOT

The City contracts with Portage & District Recycling Inc., at 700 Phillips Street. All items that are accepted in recycling boxes can also be dropped off at the depot 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. E-Waste, batteries, and fluorescent bulbs are accepted 24 hours per day 7 days a week. Household Hazardous Waste (in original container or packaging only) may be dropped off only, Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. For more information, please call the Operations Department at 204-239-8346 or PDRI at 204-856-5520, or online at www.recycleallyoucan.ca.

COMPOSTING/YARD WASTE

The City of Portage la Prairie operates a compost site at the corner of 4th Avenue N.W. and 15th Street N.W. The site accepts all organic yard and garden waste (no tree trimmings, no animal waste). The site is open 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Please help us keep the compost site free of garbage and remove your bags. Finished compost is available for use annually.

Each Spring and Fall the City provides a curbside yard waste pickup, free of charge. Yard waste (no tree trimmings, no animal waste) must be in compostable brown paper bags or clear bags, not colored transparent bags. Specific dates will be advertised each Spring and Fall. Each bag must not weigh more than 18 kilograms (40 pounds).

TREE DISPOSAL SITE

A Tree Disposal Site is located behind the Water Pollution Control Facility, east of River Road (PR 240), where only trees and tree trimmings may be disposed of. The site is open 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., 7 days a week. Follow the signs.

CHRISTMAS TREE COLLECTION

The City provides a curbside Christmas tree collection program for a three-week period in January, on your regular solid waste collection day. Dates will be advertised.

PAINT AND WASTE OIL RECYCLING

Paint cans, antifreeze, oil, filters & oil containers may be dropped off 24 hours per day, 7 days a week at Portage District Recycling Inc., 700 Phillips Street.

REGIONAL LANDFILL SITE

Portage la Prairie residents may deliver waste to the Portage la Prairie Regional Landfill Site located north east of the City. Tipping Fees are established by the Board annually. 2021 rates are $50.00 per tonne, with a minimum charge of $10.00, which includes a Provincial levy of $10 per tonne. Cash, cheque, debit, Visa or Master Card accepted.

Directions are:

• 13 kms north on P.R. 240 and 15.5 kms east on P.R. 227; or
• East on P.T.H. 26, north on P.R. 430, and west on P.R. 227 

HOURS OF OPERATION
April 1st – October 31st – 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
November 1st – March 31st – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Opened Monday – Saturday
Closed Sundays, and all Statutory Holidays

Disposal of any hazardous material, such as propane tanks, batteries, oil-based paints, solvents, household and commercial chemicals, and medicines are prohibited at the Regional Landfill Site. All loads are to be tarped and properly secured. Untarped and unsecured loads are subject to a surcharge of $60.00. Clean and Dry Mattresses and Box Springs will be stored and sent to Mother Earth Recycling for recycling. For any inquiries, please call 204-871-4549.

REUSABLE/RECYCLABLE ITEM DIRECTORY

APPLICANCES
Portage MCC Thrift Shop will accept small appliances in good working condition. Portage & District Recycling Inc. will accept microwaves. Portage Regional Landfill will accept appliances, including appliances with or without freon only at their site.

BATTERIES
Gerrard Scrap Metal accepts used motor vehicle batteries. Canadian Tire accepts small household and motor vehicle batteries. Rona and the Portage Regional Library accepts small household batteries. Portage & District Recycling Inc. accepts all batteries.

BICYCLES
The Greasy Chain accepts bicycles, bike parts and tools for community programming. Email Portage Active Transportation Committee at portageATcommittee@gmail.com or arrange drop off in person.

BOOKS
Portage MCC Thrift Shop and Portage Regional Library will accept donations of most books in good condition, with the exception of encyclopaedias, and textbooks. Books donated to the Library are either sold at the Library's ongoing book sale tables or donated to other community organizations. 

CAR SEATS
Accepted by Portage & District Recycling Inc., cloth & seat belts need to be taken off.

CATALOGUES
Catalogues are accepted in your recycling box. 

CELL PHONES 
Accepted by 4L Communications (Telus), Bell MTS and Portage & District Recycling Inc. Cell phones and cell phone batteries accepted by Gerrard Scrap Metal.

CLOTHING
Portage MCC Thrift Shop accepts clothing. The Portage Family Abuse Prevention Centre accept gently used women’s and children’s clothing and accessories. Portage & District Recycling Inc. collects clothing under the Diabetes program.

COOKING OIL
Portage & District Recycling Inc. accepts cooking oil.

CRAFT ITEMS
Lion’s Prairie Manor and Portage MCC Thrift Shop will accept leftover materials for craft programs. Donations that would be appreciated include wool, thread, fabric scraps and styrofoam balls.

ELECTRONIC WASTE
E-Waste may be dropped off at Portage & District Recycling Inc, 700 Phillips Street – 24 hours per day 7 days a week or Byte Me Computers. Generally, E-waste includes TVs, VCRs, CDs, VHS, stereos, microwaves, phones, computer equipment, fax machines and cables.

EYEGLASSES
Portage Vision Services, Portage Family Eye Care Inc. and Clarity Vision accept used eyeglasses. These are then picked up by the Lions Club and donated to those in need of them.

FURNITURE
Used furniture can be donated to the Portage MCC Furniture Plus store.

GREETING CARDS
ARC Industries will accept greeting cards.

GROCERY BAGS
Portage MCC Thrift Shop will accept plastic grocery bags.

LIGHT BULBS
Compact fluorescent and LED bulbs are accepted at Rona and Portage & District Recycling Inc.

HOMECARE/MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
Accepted by Portage MCC Furniture Plus store.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
Portage District & Recycling Depot drop off only Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. All household waste must be in original containers or packaging. Flammable liquids, pesticides, corrosive liquids (bleach/Draino), oxidizing liquids, compressed gas (propane tanks), adhesives, fire extinguishers, toxic liquids Lidocane Chloride. Propane tanks accepted at Cobbe’s Plumbing and Heating.

MAGAZINES
Used magazines may be donated to the Portage Regional Library, Portage MCC Thrift Shop or recycled in your recycling box.

METAL
Brass, copper, stainless steel, iron, lead, aluminum, and any other metal will be accepted at Gerrard Scrap Metal.

MOTOR OIL, FILTERS, ANTIFREEZE AND THEIR CONTAINERS 
Portage & District Recycling Inc. operates a used oil recycling depot at 700 Phillips Street. Drop off available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

MULTIMEDIA
CD’s, DVD’s, Blu-Ray’s, VHS’s, used records and tapes are accepted at Portage MCC Thrift Shop. DVD’s and audio books accepted by the Portage Regional Library.

NEWSPAPERS/FLYERS
Recycled in your recycling box. 

PAINT
Residential paint cans and aerosol cans, in their original containers with originals labels, are accepted at Portage & District Recycling Inc.

RAGS
ARC Industries will accept good clean material for rags.

SPORTING GOODS
Accepted by Portage MCC Furniture Plus store.

TELEPHONE BOOKS
Telephone books are accepted in your recycling box.

TIRES
Tires are accepted at the Portage la Prairie Regional Landfill Site, as part of a tire-recycling program. Tires are accepted at Portage & District Recycling Inc.

TOYS
Used toys may be donated to the Portage MCC Thrift Shop.