Manitobans can now access free recycling bins designed for condos, apartments, mixed-use spaces, and single-family households through the end of summer.

The Canadian Beverage Container Recycling Association (CBCRA), a non-profit that operates the Recycle Everywhere program, announced its “You’ve Bin Asking” initiative will bring pop-up giveaways to Winnipeg, Gimli, Steinbach, Brandon, Thompson and southern Manitoba. The program also includes on-the-go bin bags.

“There are more than 85,000 Recycle Everywhere bins already in place across Manitoba, one for every 17 Manitobans, and the province has reached a 75 per cent recovery rate for beverage containers,” said Ken Friesen, executive director at CBCRA. “But the research tells us there is still more we can do to make recycling easier and more convenient.”

The CBCRA recently commissioned consumer research that found 91 per cent of Manitobans recycle at least some eligible items at home, including empty beverage containers. However, among Manitobans who do not recycle all eligible beverage containers at home, 16 per cent say their container gets too full. When away from home, lack of access is an even bigger barrier, with 39 per cent citing a lack of beverage container recycling bins as a reason they do not always recycle.

Jill Knaggs, director of stakeholder relations at CBCRA, said the initiative was developed directly from listening to Manitobans. “Most people in our province already understand the importance of recycling, and many are doing their part,” she said. “Our role is to continue removing barriers, improving access and making beverage container recycling as easy as possible.”