Use of recycling programs appears to be on the rise on in Portage la Prairie, based on the results of Household Hazardous Waste Day.

City Manager of Public Works Brian Taylor says there was a large decrease in waste intake when the public was invited to drop off various materials such as flammables, corrosives, reactives and poisonous items on Sept. 30. Taylor says he thinks the large decrease in usage may be because people in Portage are using recycling programs more.

"It was much quieter this year than it has been in the past," Taylor says. "This is the first year we've seen a decrease the way we have, which is telling me the education for the public is out there and we have more recycling."

The amount of waste turned in was about half of last year's totals, with 620 kgs and 4,700 litres being dropped off. In 2015, over 1,300 kgs and 7,000 litres of waste came in.

Taylor adds more recycling options continue to become available in the community, and hopes people continue to properly recycle products through available programs.

"The bottom line is the more recycling we get, is a postive step towards our ultimate goal," Taylor says.