Speculations about Stratford Blue Box program not meeting its goals have been addressed by several bodies and recycling firms, more so after the latest agreement with Bluewater Recycling Association (BRA).
Brian Leyser Recycling claimed it had been selling the gable cartons and Tetra Paks to Mississauga-based Paper Fibres, which were then forwarded for recycling as mixed paper, reported stratfordbeaconherald.com
City Councilman Paul Nickel questioned if the cartons were being recycled previously, why were they not being recycled under the new agreement.
Paper Fibres vice president Mark Mateer said the material collected by the firm is definitely being recycled, and that the hard pack cardboard from Leyser had not been detached from the container.
BRA president Francis Veilleaux said he could not say what was being recycled in the past few years, but offered his view on multi-layered packaging.
"They are usually keen on doing it because they know the nice white fibre it contains is something they're searching for. But what they certainly don't like is the non-fibre contamination." added Veillaeoux.
Stratford director of engineering and public works George Bowa emphasized what they always inferred is that they are looking for a market.
"I don't know what Bluewater's criterion is for making an arrangement with somebody" Bowa added.
The asceptic containers by Tera Pak are normally 75% paper fibers, 20% polyethylene and 5% aluminum, while the polycoated milk and juice cartons are typically waterproofed with thin layers of plastic.
