With the municipality’s new green bin program set to come into effect, North Grenville is clearing up any confusion surrounding what that means for garbage collection.
Beginning February 1, the new waste, recycling and organics collection program will begin – which includes a separated green bin, and seasonal curbside pick-up of leaf and yard waste, as well as large and bulky items.
With the provincial government set to implement the Waste Free Ontario Act, North Grenville Councilor John Barclay says the program seeks to divert waste away from the Moose Creek landfill.
“This is new for staff and council as well, and we’ll do an assessment for the end of the summer, and present that to council of what the impact has been, what’s the adoption rate, whether we manage to hit that goal or come close to hitting the goal of diverting 30 per cent less waste to the landfills,” Barclay said.
Along with the new program, the municipality says garbage collection will now be bi-weekly, while recycling will remain the same.
As for the green bins, Barclay says the program should significantly reduce the cost of shipping waste to Moose Creek.
“I am a rural resident and I’ve been composting for years,” Barclay said. “And I’ll be using the green bin to take all that material that I don’t put into my garden – meat, bones, soiled pizza boxes, that kind of thing. The green bin can handle much more than a backyard composter.”
The launch of the program also fuels the growing recognition that backyard composting isn’t a sufficient option for many residents in our community.
Barclay feels it’s a step in the right direction for the municipality’s carbon footprint.
“You’d be surprised at the things that could be accommodated, wood chips, sawdust, sugar bags, flour bags, potato bags, pet fur, I mean there’s a lot that can go into the green bin. As a rural resident, I only put out garbage every two weeks anyway, so, I’m looking at the possibility of only having to take out my garbage once a month.”
Included in the green bin will be a smaller kitchen bin and the new Waster, Recycling and Organics Collection Guide, which outlines what you can and cannot put in your bin.
If you haven’t received the bin by January 28, you’re encouraged to call the municipality at 613-258-9569 ext. 133.
