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Simcoe County urged to move towards tighter controls on waste disposal

February 26, 2014   ·   0 Comments

Simcoe County should move towards pickup of garbage only every two weeks according to a county ratepayers group dedicated to the concept of zero waste.

Peter Stubbins of Zero Waste Simcoe told county councillors last week that the county should move ahead with recommendations submitted  by staff in 2013 which included  biweekly pickup, the compulsory use of clear bags and payment, through a tag system, for each bag of garbage which is placed at the curb.

Simcoe County council rejected the move towards reduced pickup last year and some county councillors wondered if increasing controls on waste disposal would only mean more trash in the county forests and roadsides and on private property.

“Will we have to prepare for irresponsible people’s desire to get rid of their waste Will they be just taking their waste to the nearest commercial bin and filling it up,” said Collingwood mayor Sandra Cooper.

“People will get used to these new rules,” said Stubbins who cited the experience of other Ontario municipalities which have implement similar restrictions.

“The story tells me that they will adapt,” said Stubbins who noted that similar worries were expressed when the county went from allowing two bags per week to one bag per week.

Stubbins also said that his organization also wants the county expand to its collection of organics to include pet waste, diapers which make up 13% of the current garbage flow.

“I think that would make the move to biweekly pickup much easier.”

By Richard Blanchard

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