The Township of Douro-Dummer implemented its clear bag program on Jan. 2. Township officials say since then, it has seen a 40 per cent reduction in tonnage over the same period last year.
Overall, the township says garbage is down 121 tonnes at the transfer station in Hall’s Glen. That’s the equivalent weight of a blue whale or 24 full truckloads of garbage.
“Somewhere between 60 and 70 per cent of what was in the garbage was either recyclable or compostable,” said Dave Clifford, Township CAO. “So council made a decision last summer to implement a clear bag program.”
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In a release, the township says it has seen an increase in recycling and compostable materials at the transfer station.
All garbage in the township is to be in clear bags. Residents are allowed one privacy bag in each clear bag to conceal items that they want to keep private.
Garbage cannot contain any recyclable, compostable or hazardous materials. Waste pickup is on Friday in the township.
The Township of Trent Lakes has had a clear bag program in-place since January 2017.
“It was difficult at first, but overall it was well received. It resulted in a phenomenal decrease in our garbage collected, and a large increase in our recycling,” said Lois O’Neill-Jackson, Township CAO.
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The City of Kawartha Lakes is also reporting successful numbers since switching to a clear garbage bag program in January 2017.
There has been 20 per cent less waste collected at the curb resulting in 1600 tonnes less waste at city landfills. Recycling pick-up at the curb is up 11 per cent.
In nearby Asphodel-Norwood, residents will start using clear bags in September.
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