Archive

County looks at recycling pet waste and diapers

July 4, 2013   ·   0 Comments

Simcoe County is looking at expanding its organics collection program to allow residents to recycle pet waste and diapers as a means of reducing the quantities of waste heading towards landfills.

The decision to add those products to the organics program came out of the special meeting held by county council last Thursday on  its waste management program.

The addition of the diapers and pet waste would help to add organic recycling which has plateaued five years after its introduction in 2008.

Adjala-Tosorontio mayor Tom Walsh told council that the statistics showed that the addition of those two items would help to cut back on the amount of garbage heading to the landfill.

Clearview mayor Ken Ferguson said that the county would have to look at the costs of the program in light of rising taxes for many residents.

“I know in my municipality with this year’s budget and the increase in assessment that some residents have seen a 12 per cent increase in their taxes,” he said.

Simcoe County receives138,000 tonnes of waste per year and diverts 78,500 tonnes each year from the landfill which makes it among the leaders in the province.

Council also decided not to make any changes to its scheduled pickup of garbage until 2015. The county changed its waste pickup program earlier this year.

Staff told council that other Ontario municipalities have seen large increases in its collection of organic material and in recycling with the shift to pickup of garbage every two weeks.

But a number of county councillors expressed concerns about the general public’s reaction to pickup every second week.

“I can see a problem with a lot of residents who have to keep their organic material for two weeks particularly in the summer months. And if we decide to add pet waste and diapers to the items collected, I’m sure that there will be further problems.”

Council also gave approval to look at the prioritization of a central composting facility  as part of its waste program.

By Richard Blanchard

Readers Comments (0)