The days of black garbage bags in Muskoka are numbered.
During the latest District of Muskoka Engineering and Public Works Committee, councillors heard that residents will soon need to switch from black to clear plastic garbage bags. The move is intended to encourage residents to sort recycling and compostable materials appropriately, assist with the removal of hazardous items from the waste stream, and offer increased worker safety by enabling the garbage collectors to see the contents of the bags and avoid hazardous items.
Renee Recoskie, the Director of Waste Management and Environmental Services said the District plans to implement the policy as part of the next rate-supported budget process.
Coun. Robert Lacroix asked how staff will enforce the policy at waste transfer stations.
“Are we adding more staff or is this on the honour system?” he asked
Recoskie said staff are still working on the plans and will have more information in a report forthcoming to council in July.
Recoskie said waste collectors will likely not accept anything with more than roughly 10% of contaminated contents.
Coun. Peter Kelly said implementing proper communication will be vital.
“We must avoid the perception we just don’t trust you and now we’re looking through your garbage because that’s how it’s going to be perceived,” said Kelley.
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The waste management company (drivers who pick up garbage) are telling people to put whatever they want into the black garbage bags as the workers are not allowed to open the bags.
This is entirely because they don’t trust us. They want to visualize how much recycling and compost is not getting sorted. Be prepared for your trash bags to get denied pickup just like bags of recycling have in the past. Garbage is messy and I personally don’t need my neighbour’s to see my bloody pads and tampons, my child’s poopy diapers, the bloody pair of shorts I had to throw away, my cat poop, the science experiment that lived in my fridge a while too long, used condoms and many other intimately personal items that will now be on full display for anyone driving or walking past. The trip to the curb to take out the trash will now feel like the walk of shame. The only 2 positives i see with this are that 1. those in the community that collect will be able to make sure they are safely able to pick up a bag without getting cut or stuck with who knows what and 2. We will be shamed into recycling/composting more than we currently do.
Ps. I live in an area without compost pickup and no outside space to do so myself.
The vast majority of people will substantially comply with separating garbage. But the introduction of clear bags has all the appearance of creating a “garbage police”. This is simply bureaucratic overreach. The proper approach would be a full audit of whether materials being separated for recycling actually gets recycled. If not, how much money is being wasted? Prove to the taxpayers these materials aren’t just going to some other landfill, then bring in the garbage police if you must. But even then…..
I am disappointed there is not more information about clear garbage bags. There are some discrete items that come from the home that should not be on public view. Especially in a household with 5 girls if you get my drift. Perhaps we could still use the whit non see thru bags for yhe small under the sink garbage & transfer that have to a see thru bag.
We are on septic systems here in a good part of muskoka
Coun. Kelley is right.
……. the perception we just don’t trust you and now we’re looking through your garbage because that’s how it’s going to be perceived,” said Kelley.
Clear bags also cost a lot more than black ones. I think we should just stick with black bags which are pretty much standard in all of North America.
This does really scream to people we don’t trust you and want to supervise the garbage. I totally disagree and just one more extra step and cost to households
This is a decision that council should make, not a district employee.