The distribution of 28,000 green organic waste bins to Peterborough homes has begun, heralding a new era of sound waste management practices for the city.
Drop-off of the new bins began this week in the city’s west end at the rate of some 1,000 per day, with that number expected to rise to 1,500 over the next week.
Peterborough waste diversion program manager Dave Douglas notes the current waste diversion rate sits at 52 per cent – a number that’s forecasted to increase dramatically once green waste is collected for compost starting in late October.
Councillor Gary Baldwin, who chairs the city’s waste management committee, says residents’ participation will be a huge component of any success the organic waste collection initiative meets.
Douglas says residents shouldn’t fill their bins right away, noting curbside pickup doesn’t begin until October 31st. Meanwhile, to those who haven’t received a green bin yet, Douglas advises hang tight because it’s coming.
Green bin distribution and organic waste collection isn’t the only change. Also starting October 31st, residents must put their garbage in clear plastic bags and collection will move to an every-other-week schedule. Visit peterborough.ca/ReduceWaste for details.
(Written by: Paul Rellinger)