The Thompson Recycling Centre says that one of their most pressing issues is the rate of contamination.

The contamination rate, which is the percentage of non-recyclables that arrive at the centre, currently sits at around 16% where it has been for the past few years.

Contamination rates across the country range from 3% in Saint John’s to 26% in Toronto, with Winnipeg coming in with a rate of 13%.

The Centre says that even though more people are making the effort to recycle here in Thompson, many people still end up including food and other garbage with their recycling, making more work for those who process the items.

Not only does the contamination lead to increased processing costs, but in the summer months the Recycling Centre says it often leads to other issues such as maggots, wasps, hornets and mice.