When it comes to recycling, Shuswap residents will be able to mix it up in an expanded program that’s expected to decrease the environmental footprint by about 40 per cent.

Columbia Shuswap Regional District waste management co-ordinator Darcy Mooney won approval and accolades from directors at last week’s board meeting, where directors accepted his recommendation to sign a contract with Emterra Environmental to collect, transport and process commingled recyclables.

“We expect to see a 20 to 30 per cent increase in recyclables,” said Mooney of the program that will mean residents will no longer have to separate items.

Along with mixed waste paper, newspaper, container glass and food tins, residents will soon be able to add cardboard and container plastics numbered 1, 2, 4 and 5.

It is important to note the program does not include #7 plastics which are things like ketchup container bottles and clear plastic slurpee or iced-coffee-type cups. Plastic bags are not included either.

“We encourage people to use reusable bags or take them back to the store where they got them,” says Mooney. “Any grocery store will take their bags back.”

Mooney expects the expanded recycling service to be online by Aug. 1.

The regional district received several proposals to provide the service but Mooney said Emterra, formerly International Paper Industries and the current service provider, offers the greatest flexibility and efficiencies.

The current contract expires Dec. 31, 2014 and the cost to provide service in 2009 was $400,000.

Adding plastic and cardboard will increase the cost by approximately $55,000 per year.