Using clear garbage bags may be one way for Simcoe County to encourage residents to make better use of their green bins, says the chair of its corporate services committee, Adjala-Tosorontio Deputy Mayor Doug Little.
A recent curbside audit revealed 40 per cent of waste in the garbage bag – food scraps, tissues, paper towels and paper plates – could have been kept out of county landfills and instead sent for organics processing.
“It’s disheartening seeing residents really working hard. We should look at clear bags. It works in Dufferin County,” Little told county council Thursday, just four days before the county is to announce its preferred site for an organics processing facility (OPF).
“We should recognize communities that show strong committed efforts in recycling. We have to do more because our numbers are going down.”
The audit revealed blue box use is up. The capture rate is now at 87 per cent, up from 83 per cent in 2010.
By contrast, the audit revealed the green bin program is capturing about 38 per cent of organic waste, down from 47 per cent in 2010.
“We’re seeing 60 per cent of our households participating in the organics program. The ones participating are doing quite well. We have to reach out to that 40 per cent (that doesn’t use the green bin),” said solid waste management director Rob McCullough, who noted in some neighbourhoods, use of the green bin has not widespread.
“This council has some tough decisions to make if we’re to reach our target of 77 per cent diversion by 2031,” said Debbie Korolnek, the county’s engineering, planning and environment general manager
County staff will ask residents their thoughts during consultations in May.
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