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TOWNSHIP OF ASPHODEL-NORWOOD REPORT TO COUNCIL

Date: November 28th, 2017

From: Jeff Waldon, Manager of Public Works and Environmental Services

Re: Clear Bag Program for Waste Disposal

RECOMMENDATION

“THAT the Council of the Township of Asphodel-Norwood receives this report regarding a clear bag program for waste disposal for information; AND FURTHER THAT the Council of the Township of Asphodel-Norwood adopts a clear bag program for waste disposal for implementation on September 1st, 2018; AND FURTHER THAT the Council of the Township of Asphodel-Norwood direct staff to create and implement a community engagement plan to educate the residents of this change; AND FURTHER THAT the Council of the Township of Asphodel-Norwood direct staff to create and implement an internal training program to educate municipal staff of this change; AND FURTHER THAT the Council of the Township of Asphodel-Norwood adopt the name for the program of “Clearly We Are Making A Difference.”

BACKGROUND Throughout the course of the last 3 years there have been many factors that have created the recommendation about moving forward with a clear bag policy in 2018. Waste diversion needs to be a team effort with all parties participating. Diversion starts with different programs offered, typically coming from the upper tier governments, such as the programs that are offered to Asphodel-Norwood through ; hard plastics being a prime example. There are new efforts being made for waste diversion to reduce the amount of waste being tipped at landfills. These programs that are offered annually are typically short term, with no guarantees if they will be offered in the future. Programs such as these are typically expensive to run.

With help from Peterborough County staff and support from Council major efforts have been made over the past 6 years to increase the Townships overall diversion numbers. The diversion report is generated by the County every year for each Township. Staff collaborates and shares information on the different programs offered, specifically the total tonnages collected and diverted annually.

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Here is a brief look at the historical diversion numbers for Asphodel-Norwood:

2016: 50% 2015: 51% 2014: 51% 2013: 51% 2012: 39% 2011: 34%

As seen in the diversion numbers above, the efforts that were made were significant but for 3 years a plateau was hit. Unfortunately, last year the Township fell 1% due to less recycling and an increase in household waste collected at both the curb and at the transfer station. Already in 2017 the Township of Asphodel-Norwood has seen a 9% increase in garbage during the 3rd quarter.

The annual waste audits in 2016 completed by Peterborough County staff in Asphodel- Norwood showed that only 20% of the material that is in the bags would actually be classified as “garbage”. Meaning that what the County staff is finding is a lot of recyclable materials including, cans, bottles, batteries and other items that could be disposed of through a program already offered. The Municipality of was the first in Peterborough County to adopt the clear bag program and has seen huge success in 2017. From January 2017 until October 2017 there has been a total decrease of 562 tonnes. The Township of Douro Dummer has recently announced that they too will be adopting a clear bag program starting in January of 2018. Outside of Peterborough County, the City of started their clear bag collection program as of January 1st, 2017. In 2008 Centre Hastings introduced their clear bag policy as well.

A clear bag policy for the Township of Asphodel-Norwood is staff’s recommendation for a long term solution to ensure that diversion numbers keep improving. Some of the municipalities that have implemented a clear program have already removed green waste and food scraps as an allowable waste within the bag. Others have allowed 20% recyclables to be within the bag. It is staff’s recommendation that for the start of a clear bag program in Asphodel-Norwood, food waste and organics be allowed with a 10% allowance for some minor recyclables or divertible materials. In the near future green waste and organics are going to become an issue in household waste but at this time with limited resources in rural and small municipal areas it is considered best to allow these materials to remain in the waste stream until there is a suitable program offered for disposal. Staff is actively communicating with Peterborough County staff on the requirement of these future programs. In 2016 the Waste Free Act Received Royal Assent. This legislation has set 3 interim goals. By 2020 a 30% diversion rate, by 2030 a 50% diversion rate and by 2050 an 80% diversion rate. It is proposed by the province that by 2022 a possible food waste disposal ban could be implemented.

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Next Steps If the Council of the Township of Asphodel-Norwood adopts a clear bag program the next few months will be primarily education based for both Township staff and the residents of the Township.

Firstly, an internal training plan will be created for all municipal staff. It is crucial that all facilities are following the clear bag policy and using the diversion tools provided. Also, it is imperative that all staff is able to answer questions that will be posed by the residents and have a complete understanding of why the Township has chosen to move forward with a clear bag approach to waste diversion. Questions need to be answered correctly and as accurately as possible.

Also, during this time a community engagement plan will be created by staff to educate the residents of this change. One of the major components for the residents is ramping up the education on recycling. Making sure the residents know what should be going in the blue boxes and not in the bags. There is many tools to help with these efforts including social media, tax bill mail outs, web site, posters and pamphlets to name a few. Peterborough County has many pieces of literature that can be shared as well. During approximately the midway point of the educational community engagement plan a public information center (PIC) will be held to gather some more valuable feedback and answer any possible questions that may be posed. Municipalities that have implemented a clear bag program have advised that the complaints and concerns phase out as the residents become adjusted to the new program. The anticipation of the change is far worse than the implementation.

Throughout the entire process it is important to stay positive, and to let the residents know how appreciative the Township is that they are making a difference. Staff has discussed that at the transfer station level there be a reward incentive for residents that consistently have a properly filled clear bag. Much like all the other clear bag programs that are in effect, 1 small privacy bag will be permitted for discreet disposal of personal items.

Summary The implementation of a clear bag program is seen as the most cost effective and reasonable long term solution for waste diversion at this time. After a lot of research and discussion staff is of the opinion that the approach outlined in this report will provide the least aggressive transition for all parties. As the Province makes changes and implements the Waste Free Ontario legislation more changes will have to be made in the future. Staff will work closely with the County as that timeline unfolds, to be sure to offer any tools provided to the residents as food waste regulations get tougher and tougher.

If Council supports this initiative the roll-out would be as follows:

 Create and implement an internal education/training program for municipal staff (December/January and ongoing)

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 Generate conversation with local retailers to ensure that clear bags are available to purchase locally (January and ongoing)  Create and implement a community engagement plan that will aggressively promote the clear bag program (January and ongoing)  Ongoing dialogue and encouragement to Peterborough County staff in regards to a long term solution to organics waste (Ongoing)  Review of Township’s Litter By-law and increased signage for enforcement (Early 2018)  Meetings between Curbside Collection Contractor and Municipal Staff to ensure a complete understanding of the program expectations for both parties (May and ongoing)  Public Information Centre (PIC) (June 2018)  Soft Launch of Clear Bag Program (Week of September 3rd-7th 2018) during the week of soft Launch residents who are in non-compliance of the program will be notified with a letter by municipal staff but the garbage will still be taken. This week is a courtesy period.  Hard Launch starts Week of September 10th, 2018 – Clear bag program will be fully in effect and enforced.

FINANCIAL IMPACT

Council has previously reviewed the preliminary Environmental budget which did not include provisions for this program. That being said if Council supports this recommendation the draft budget coming forward to Council on December 12th, 2017 will include an allocation for advertising and signage for this program.

______Prepared by: Jeff Waldon, Manager of Public Works and Environmental Services

______Reviewed by: Candice White, CAO/Clerk/Treasurer