It's in the bag: Winnipeg recycling program provides food, helps environment

A new program launched byWinnipeg Harvest and Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba aims totake theplastic bags tucked away in kitchen cupboardsand use them in food hampers and emergency kits.

The two organizationscreated theplastic bag recycling program 'Bag it Forward,' andwill be installing350 recycling bins across the city. People can drop off their bags at Winnipeg Harvest, or at affiliatedpartner's locations.

Winnipeg Harvest says the bags are essential to food distribution, andthis program makes a difference to the people they serveand the environment.

"We understand how important it is to reclaim what often gets overlooked, left behind, or discarded. We reclaim food and people," said David Northcott, Winnipeg Harvest executive director in a release.

Northcott says they use morethan a million plastic bags a year to pack food kits.

Karen MeInychuck, executive director at Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba, said her organization has been working to reduce the number ofplastic bags distributed. She says this new program will give Manitobans a convenient and environmentally friendly way to dispose of plastic bags.

Winnipeg Harvest distributesfood to more than 60,000 Manitobans monthly.