“Muskoka has a 2 stream system,” says Al Huffy, of Capital Environmental, commenting on Muskoka’s recycling program. This is better than a 4 stream system, Al continues, explaining, “It makes it easy at the curbside, as one box can be for fibers and the other for containers.”

  In the recycling business since 1987, when he helped create the first recycling program for the Lindsay area, Al has been the District Manager for Muskoka for Capital Environmental since February of this year.

  Muskoka Containerized Services became part of Capital Environmental in March of 1998.  Capital Environmental is the umbrella organization for local companies but has a national presence, from coast to coast.  Capital Environmental was created in 1997 for the purpose of selecting and purchasing solid and reputable companies in the solid waste management field. Muskoka Containerized Services was one of these. Since then Capital has become one of the largest solid waste service companies in Canada. And MCS is an important part of their operation.

  “The Bracebridge plant is 55,000 square feet, so is one of the 3 or 4 largest facilities in Ontario,” says Huffy, explaining that the large, modern facility, “allows more breakout of materials.”

  A full 40 % of the commercial waste, (not the collected curbside waste – it is sent to the local landfill site) that is transferred to Bracebridge is ‘tipped onto the floor’ at the facility to have any recyclables extracted. This captured material is then sent to end users, such as aluminum material to Alcan and fibers to Atlantic Packaging.

  Al deals with world markets to sell the recyclable materials, even dealing with countries as far away as China on some things. “It is better than having just one market,” he explains, stating that dealing with markets worldwide helps make up for local fluctuations in economics and commodity pricing.

  “We try to eliminate as much as possible going to the landfill site, “ Al states, adding that, “there is a strong participation rate in the region.”

  For more information on Capital Environmental visit their website at www.capitalenvironmental.com. Or call Muskoka Containerized Services at 705-645-4453.