County of Simcoe council has voted against implementing a new program aimed at increasing organics "capture" across the region.
Despite being approved in principle at the committee level earlier this month, county council ultimately changed course at Tuesday’s meeting. Instead, councillors opted to maintain the status quo for now. The county is still encouraging the use of green carts every week, but it will continue to rest with residents to put it out.
The staff recommendation, presented during May 14's committee of the whole meeting, would have seen the county implement a program where a garbage cart would only be collected if a resident uses and places their organics cart out for collection at the same time.
The item, which was pulled from the agenda for discussion by Clearview Mayor Doug Measures during Tuesday's county council meeting. Although the item was discussed at length earlier this month, he said he felt council needed to readdress it, given the closeness of the vote.
“I think time has now passed such that there are some indecisions across this council and I think it gives an opportunity for members to re-debate this issue," Measures said. "I feel it is a premature recommendation to bring forward the compost and garbage matching program that was suggested by the staff."
Measures added that if such a program were to be implemented, there should be an option for residents to “opt out,” given so many use other methods of getting rid of their organic waste.
“The message I am hearing, from residents of Simcoe County who have contacted me, is that this program will not work in our rural communities," he said. "As I pointed out in our debate, backyard composters are a reality for a lot of our residents and I think we need to respect that and give people the benefit of the doubt that that is what they’re actually doing.
“The question was put by staff as to whether or not people are actually using their compost bins, and perhaps not putting it out at all," Measures added. "I have had residents say to me they’ve never put it out because they do completely compost in their backyard."
He suggested county council take another look.
"I think it may be a little premature and this is time for this council to recognize our citizens have been doing a good job as it is," he said.
Such a program would only confuse residents, said Severn Township Mayor Mike Burkett.
“We are going to create, I think, a nightmare by not allowing garbage to be picked up if there is no green bin set out,” Burkett said.
Ramara Township Deputy Mayor Keith Bell agreed, noting if such a program were to be approved, it would need to be simplified.
“I am not going to support something where we are policing people’s garbage … and it’s costing us a lot with people going out and checking composters, checking garbage and rubber stamping things to say they have it in place,” Bell said.
Wasaga Beach Mayor Brian Smith said it's often a struggle to create new rules or regulations, or make changes that could lead to other issues.
“The citizens of Simcoe County have come to the table with us on waste management many times and the proof is in the pudding," Smith said. "We have been No. 1 and No. 2 on waste diversion for years and that tells me our citizens are engaged and know how important it is.
"But to simply tell taxpayers, who are already paying for this service, that if they don’t put out their green bin that we’re not going to pick up their waste is problematic,” he added.
In a statement following Tuesday’s county council meeting, Warden Basil Clarke thanked staff for bringing the idea forward, but said ultimately council determined there are other ways they can better support residents with their waste disposal habits, including investing in further education and awareness about proper waste diversion.
“If we aren’t consistently looking for solutions and ways to innovate our solid waste management system, then we aren’t moving forward,” the warden said, adding changes in the waste management sector also played a role in council’s decision.
While this program will not move forward as presented in the report, county council has requested that staff continue to look for areas of improvement.
“For now, it’s important for us to continue to work on encouraging our residents to properly utilize our organics program and to get them to roll out their green carts on a regular basis," Clarke said. "If we each play our part in ensuring that we divert our personal waste properly, then we can still work towards a more sustainable future for our entire region."
