Central Elgin Waste Management Service Delivery Public Consultation Openhouse

Background Central Elgin’s current Curbside collection contract will expire in May 2020 Council, has struck a steering committee of Council to review and report back on: Recommendation on a level of service for materials to be collected at curbside Garbage Recyclables Organics (Green Bin) Leaf and Yard waste Frequency of collection How collection service will be provided Private Contractor “In-house” with municipally owned equipment and staff.

Central Elgin’s Current Waste Management Program Setting the Stage Central Elgin’s Current Waste Management Program

Setting the stage. Facts about the waste stream in Central Elgin In 2018 Central Elgin residents: Disposed of 2595.36 tonnes of garbage at landfill at a cost of $70.42 per tonne. This cost residents $182,765. Recycled 821 tonnes of recyclables through the Blue Box program The processing cost for these materials was $96081 The revenue received from the sale of the materials collected was $125000 Net revenue to residents to dispose of recyclables in an environmentally responsible manner $48/tonne Disposed of approximately **** tonnes of leaf and yard waste during curbside collection.

Garbage Collection Central Elgin currently uses “Bag tags” to assist in controlling the amount of waste that goes to landfill. Bag Tags are recognized as a best practice for encouraging waste diversion. Garbage is currently collected weekly In 2018, approximately 5950 households had weekly garbage collection service provided.

Recyclables Recyclable material is captured from the waste stream using a two stream collection method Containers (Glass, tin, aluminum, plastic etc.) in one bin Fibres such as newsprint, carboard, fine paper in second bin. Recyclable material is delivered to and processed at the City of London Material Recycling Facility (MRF). State of the art facility. Provides for best capture rates of materials. Provides for best revenue for processed materials due to minimal contamination. Given good quality of material it is easier to market the material at a higher than normal revenue. In 2018,approximately 5950 households had weekly blue box collection service provided.

Leaf and Yard waste / Organics Grass clippings are banned from the waste stream. Central Elgin will not collect. Household organics are not currently collected as a separated stream. All household organics are being sent to landfill as part of the garbage stream Leaf and Yard Waste is collected 4 weeks in the spring and 4 weeks in the fall. Leaf and Yard Waste collection is only within “built up” areas of the municipality. Port Stanley, Belmont, Lynhurst, Eastwood, Norman/Lyndale, Sparta, Union. In 2018, approximately 3300 households had spring and fall leaf and yard waste collection service provided.

Setting the stage. Facts about Collection Costs Current collection contract is on a cost per household. In 2018 Waste Collection Services cost Central Elgin residents:

A New Program/ Service Level? Things to consider.

What we are hearing from residents? “We would like to have a curbside “green bin” to use.” “Spring and Fall Leaf and yard waste is not convenient or long enough in the spring and fall.” “I do not live in an area that is provided leaf and yard waste collection and I want it that service.” “It is not convenient to have to pick up bag tags at the municipal office or at depots.” “Collections are missed and are not at a consistent time. Why can’t the municipality get this right?”

Considerations for a new program. Garbage Collection Moving away from using garbage bags at curbside and use municipally supplied carts like many other municipalities (Strathroy, Guelph, Middlesex Centre etc.) Advantages No longer require bag tags No longer issues with birds or animals getting into bags. Neat street on collection day. Limited “loss time injuries” for workers as the operation is fully automated with collection equipment. Disadvantages Volume of garbage that can be put out is constrained by volume of the cart. “I don’t have room for a cart on my property.” “I can’t physically wheel a cart out to the curb.” May still need bag tags to be purchased for high garbage producers that produce more than what can be put in a cart. “Pay as you throw.” Frequency of collection If the municipality implements an Organics “Green Bin” program is there a need to pick up Garbage weekly. Green bin will take the items that tend to smell. (fruits, vegetables, pet waste, meat, dairy) Bi-weekly garbage collection is done in other municipalities (Brooke-Alvinston, Perth South, Perth West, Dawn Euphemia)

Considerations for a new program. Organics Collection Will this service be provided municipally wide or only in “built up” areas? Do people in rural areas actually compost????? Do rural residents want a “green bin’ program? Frequency of collection If the municipality implements an Organics “Green Bin” program is there a need to pick up Garbage weekly. This may result in a cost savings by not having to pick up garbage weekly. Weekly collection of “Green Bin” and biweekly collection of garbage will encourage residents to use the “Green Bin” because they will get rid of the stinky waste weekly. Higher use of “Green Bin” may result in lower disposal costs because garbage will be diverted away from costly tipping fees at landfill. A green bin program will eliminate the need for spring and fall leaf and yard waste pickup. This savings ($86,000 annually) could be used to partially offset an Organics program.

Considerations for a new program. Recyclable Collection Intent is to continue with weekly collection across the municipality. Allows residents to properly dispose of recyclables without them “piling up” or throwing in the Garbage Continue with a two stream collection method (containers and fibres separated at curbside by residents). Advantage is it provides for the least processing cost giving the best revenue for materials once marketed and the highest marketability potential. Continue utilizing blue bins for collection. Advantages Easily allows residents to sort into two streams. No new containers would need to be purchased Disadvantages Still requires a manual collection operation. Potential for litter at curbside from spilled blue boxes and wind.

What we want to know from you? Would you like to have a curbside organics “green bin” program? Do you think the provision of a “green bin” program at an estimated cost of $40 /year/household is good value to you as a resident? Knowing the advantages and disadvantages would you accept the use of a municipally supplied cart for the provision of garbage collection rather than using ‘bag tags’? Knowing the advantages and disadvantages would you be receptive to weekly collection of organics and recyclables and bi-weekly collection of garbage?

Financial considerations.   Garbage Recycling Organics Spring/Fall Cost/yr./ Comments Weekly Bi-Weekly Leaf/yard household Option 1 X $169 Status quo level of service. Garbage is collected with bag tags and in Bags. Only seasonal capture and leaf and yard waste. No Organics program. Option 2 $152 Garbage and Organics collected using carts for both. Provides for improved diversion yr. round. Potential for odor issues from Green Bin which could possibly force residents to put organics in Garbage Stream Option 3 $171 Garbage and Organics collected using carts for both. Provides for improved diversion yr. round. Less incentive for unwilling residents to use the green bin. Option 4 $167 Provides for the level of service that encourages the best diversion rates from Landfill. Limited potential for odor issues for residents that use the Green Bin as it is intended and limits organics being put into the Garbage stream.

Next Steps. Public Information Centres February 5th, 7th and 20th. Allow for public feedback at information centres, questionaires, and survey on municipal website until February 22nd. Steering committee to review and report back to Council on recommendations of program on March 11th, 2019. What program will look like Provision of Organic collection? Use of Carts for garbage collection? Service delivery model. Private contractor or “in-house” service delivery.