Petition regarding Green Bin program presented to county council

When the Town of Amherstburg starts to participate in the organic waste green bin program in November, it is estimated the cost will be about $140 per household per year.

While the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority’s mandate is to have the waste collection as a diversion from the landfill, there are still those in the county who are opposed.

Carolyn Crankshaw presented a 250-name petition requesting the ability to opt out of the green bin program as part of the June 17 meeting of county council.

“I am not here to debate the green bin program itself. I understand council has already made its decision,” said Crankshaw.

What she was asking, and as written on the petition, that Essex County council review and amend the program to implement fair and reasonable opt-out provisions for seniors, low-income households, residents who actively compost, residents with disabilities or mobility limitations and rural or minimal amount of waste in their household.

“The request is not about opposing organic diversion. I fully support reducing landfill waste.”

The petition also requested the program be administered in a manner that is equitable, accessible, and financially fair while maintaining environmental objectives.

According to the EWSWA, in the first five months of the program, 5,500 tonnes have been redirected from the landfill and they are currently picking up 200 to 275 tonnes per week from the participating municipalities of Essex, Lakeshore, LaSalle and Tecumseh.

Households in Amherstburg, Leamington and Kingsville are expected to get their bins in the fall with pickup to begin in November.

“The concern is that residents who are already achieving the very environmental objective this program was designed for should at least have their concerns considered when they are paying for a service they do not use,” said Crankshaw.

In her report to county council, director of financial services/treasurer Melissa Ryan noted that the green bin program was approved as a user-pay service model and the fee applies to all eligible properties with access to the service, regardless of participation levels or usage.

Crankshaw said that clearer communication is needed with such program but admitted that many don’t follow local government as closely as they should.

“I’ve said it before and I will say it again – I want to apologize for not having the foresight to get it out there sooner. The green bin organic program started in the former term of council,” said Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy.

Petition regarding Green Bin program presented to county council

By Fred Groves