February 2, 2018

Winnipeggers encouraged to think big as part of Smart Cities Challenge

Released: 9:30 a.m.

Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeg is a driver of innovation, and the City of Winnipeg is looking for resident input to help make Winnipeg a better place. As part of the Federal Government’s Smart Cities Challenge, Canadian communities are being asked to come up with a big idea that improves the lives of their residents through innovation, data, and connected technology, and submit an application to win up to $50 million. The City of Winnipeg is asking all Winnipeggers to think big and to send their most innovative ideas to the City, to be considered as part of the City’s ongoing work on the official submission.

“Technology and innovation are the fuel for growth and the new economy, and innovation is what we do best in Winnipeg,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “The Smart Cities Challenge is an opportunity for our Chief Innovation Officer to work with the public service and all interested citizens to advance the best idea we have as a community and demonstrate what innovation means at the City of Winnipeg of the future.”

“There are so many passionate, knowledgeable, and innovative individuals in Winnipeg, and we want to hear from,” said Michael Legary, the City of Winnipeg’s Chief Innovation Officer. “We want residents to look for opportunities they see in Winnipeg, and provide their ambitious ideas that would have the greatest positive impact on our City.”

The Chief Innovation Officer has been collaborating with a working group, looking at innovative ideas that were previously submitted from community organizations and City staff.

The City is now seeking submissions from the public, and will work to refine the ideas into a large-scale proposal under one of the following focus areas:

A big idea

Ideas that are big in scope and thinking.

Safety and security

Ideas that make Winnipeg safer and more secure for our people and communities.

Vibrant communities

Ideas that make a community more vibrant, engaged, and connected.

Public and active transportation

Ideas that make public and active transportation more available and effective.

Environment

Ideas that will improve the environment in and around Winnipeg for future generations.

Accessibility and quality of life

Ideas that make information or services available to more people or improve quality of life.

Information driven

Ideas that use information to improve quality of life or reduce costs.

Transparency and engagement

Ideas on how the City of Winnipeg can be more transparent and engage citizens more frequently in decisions that impact them.

Winnipeggers can get involved by:

Submitting an idea online from February 2 to February 22, 2018,

Selecting their favourite submissions online from February 2 to February 22, 2018, and

Engaging in online discussions using #SmartCityWpg

The City of Winnipeg proposal will be submitted to the Smart Cities Challenge in April 2018.

To submit ideas, or for more information, visit winnipeg.ca/smartcity

City opens third 4R Winnipeg Depot

Panet Road location provides Winnipeggers with convenient access to recycling a wide variety of materials

Released: 10:30 a.m.

Winnipeg, MB – Beginning today, the Panet Road 4R Winnipeg Depot is open for residential customers to drop off items that can be recycled, reused, composted, or resold. The facility is located at 429 Panet Road, at the corner of Panet Road and Mission Street, and is the third 4R Winnipeg Depot to open in the city.

There is no cost to customers using any of the 4R Winnipeg Depots, as long as all of the materials dropped off are recyclable. Garbage is only accepted at the Brady 4R Winnipeg Depot location and is subject to tipping fees.

“I am pleased that we continue to deliver environmental improvements for Winnipegers,” said Brian Mayes, Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Water and Waste, Riverbank Management and the Environment. “For people living in the eastern section of Winnipeg, the opening of this centre will make it much easier to drop off major recycling items.”

“Having the third 4R Winnipeg Depot located within St. Boniface provides area residents and all Winnipeggers with a convenient and safe way to dispose of household hazardous waste materials in addition to their recyclables,” said Matt Allard, City Councillor for St. Boniface.

“I’ve been looking forward to this day for a year. I literally can’t wait to use this 4R Depot, so I’ve been saving up for months and I’ve brought my large recycling, my electronic waste as well as some compost to the grand opening.” said Jason Schreyer, City Councillor for Elmwood - East Kildonan.

“I believe one of the best ways to encourage people to recycle, is to make it convenient.” said Jeff Browaty, City Councillor for North Kildonan. “By opening this depot today, residents of northeast Winnipeg have a more convenient way to responsibly dispose of many household items.”

Residents are able to drop off the following materials, free of charge, at all 4R Winnipeg Depot locations:

scrap metal

large appliances

bicycles

large plastic items

clean timber, lumber and wood

ceramics and porcelain

rubble and masonry

clean fill

tree wood waste

leaf and yard waste

recyclables accepted in the curbside program

electronic waste such as televisions, computers and cell phones

household hazardous waste including household cleaners, paint and propane tanks

batteries

motor oil, filters, and containers

tires

To help make drop-off easier and faster, residents are encouraged to review vehicle packing tips in advance of travelling to a 4R Winnipeg Depot. Packing tips are available at City of Winnipeg – Packing tips.

4R Winnipeg Depot Background

The Brady 4R Winnipeg Depot, located at the Brady Road Resource Management Facility (Brady Road Landfill, 1901 Brady Rd.), opened in February 2016. The Pacific 4R Winnipeg Depot (1120 Pacific Ave.), opened in January 2017.

As of December 31, 2017, the 4R Winnipeg Depots served over 163,423 customers and diverted over 12,922 tonnes of material.

4R Winnipeg Depots are an important part of Winnipeg’s Garbage and Recycling Master Plan by giving residents more ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

The plan calls for up to four 4R Winnipeg Depots to be constructed. It has yet to be determined if a fourth depot will be required.

For more information on 4R Winnipeg Depots, including hours of operation and accepted materials: