The District’s decision to transition to a clear garbage bag program has sparked some debate; however, staff members assert that the initiative is beginning to show positive results.
On Tuesday, Rene Recoskie, District Director of Waste Management and Environmental Services, presented to the Bracebridge General Committee on the progress of this change and addressed some common misconceptions.
Recoskie noted that the majority of waste generated in 2024 should have been diverted from garbage, emphasizing that the primary goal of the clear bag program is to ensure waste is disposed of properly. Since the program’s implementation at the beginning of March, staff have successfully diverted 150 tons of organic waste from landfills. Additionally, there have been over 800 requests for green bins since mid-February.
“It’s really great to see that impact and that change,” Recoskie remarked.
She also tackled some misunderstandings surrounding the clear bag initiative. For instance, one prevalent misconception is that organic waste placed in the garbage will decompose naturally into soil. Recoskie clarified that food waste cannot decompose effectively in landfills because it becomes compacted and lacks exposure to oxygen, which is necessary for aerobic breakdown. This contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
Looking ahead, Recoskie indicated that staff will remain focused on an “education phase” of the program. She also pointed out that Muskoka is approaching a critical decision as waste sites continue to fill up. A choice must soon be made regarding whether to bury, incinerate, or export excess waste.
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Any ‘new’ improvements/actions brought forward to encourage adjustments to the recycling program is a good thing. People need to take this program seriously. Attempts have been made in the past. They have failed. Let’s get on to the next phase. Pretending any longer is not an option.
Get behind this new effort. It is a step in the right direction fosho.
Does the public know. That green bin pick up is not allowed 🚫 from apartment buildings or condominium buildings in Huntsville? What a missed opportunity to divert green stuff from the landfill. Can you count the number of condos being built recently? These owners pay big land taxes.. For a piece of AIR, !!!
Rather than scolding your customers the tax payer, for a service taxpayers have entrusted the District to manage, maybe given that council and staff, have known for decades about a looming need for “a critical decision” on what to do with “excess waste” the real question is; How much has been set aside and invested for an incinerator, or other poorer less efficient and more costly options?
Also there is no “excess” waste, there is simply waste full stop. The district is paid to remove said waste, which is part of a social and financial contract taxpayers expect the townships and district to fufill. These emotive conjuntions “excess” and the latent timelines are being used to shift blame from managment to your customer…the tax payer. This issue is 100% a staff and council created unforced error. We pay massive salaries completely out of line with the private sector to have these issues mitigated. Failure to do so falls squarely on council and staff and nowhere else.
Has the chair, council and staff secured any further funding or a site required from the province or feds? If not, why not? This issue much like the costly negligent management of the airport is decades old.
What savings have Tax Payers realized with the uploading of services to the Province and massive slashes to services?
Is there a line item showing these savings or where they are being applied?
The decision to have clear garbage bags versus black ones is about the dumbest , least innovative, pass the buck and totally thinking INSIDE the box temporary solution.They are simply passing on the problem to the next generation. Talk about burying your head in the sand!
Why can they come up with a NEW way of disposing the garbage. Burying it in a hole is over with… face it!
Look at other countries, city in Europe and the USA where they burn the garbage, use the heat created to create steam that turns turbines to create power,…end result… the smoke that leaves the facilities is totally pure.
SHAME ON THE COMMITTEE THAT THOUGHT OF THIS USELESS SOLUTION.