Aurora poised to approve switch to clear garbage bags

YorkRegion.com
Feb. 5, 2015
By Teresa Latchford

The Town of Aurora wants to know if you’re clear on its new garbage bag program.

Pending final approval by council expected later this month, the transition from green and black garbage bags to clear bags for waste collection will be rolled out on in June.

The “soft” launch of the program is deemed voluntary but will be fully enforced by October during Canada Waste Reduction Week.

Here’s how it will work.

The trash collector will assess if there is an abundance of divertible material - recycling or organics - or hazardous items in the bag as he approaches. If it is determined more than 15 per cent of the contents of the bag are divertible, it will not be collected.

Resident Fern Kirsch fears leaving it up to employees of Green For Life - Aurora’s waste collection agency - to decide which clear bags are acceptable and which are to be left behind, could lead to trouble.

“Residents will have no one to complain to at the town level because the town does not appear to have contemplated an appeals process,” the Aurora resident said in a letter to the editor.

Aurora’s waste co-ordinator Amanda Cutler acknowledged residents have expressed concerns about privacy, as well, adding homeowners will be allowed three small opaque bags within a large clear bag but those concerned with personal information could alternatively shred documents and put them in a green bin.

The town has also stated retailers will be notified ahead of implementation so they can stock their shelves with acceptable bags, which should be in the same price range as traditional garbage bags.

The three main reasons for the implementation of the program is collector safety, waste diversion and prevention of hazardous materials ending up in the landfill.

“Residents have put medical waste, such as needles, in the garbage and drivers have been injured in the past,” Cutler added.

Aurora isn’t the first municipality in York Region to implement the program, as Markham did so in 2013. Within four months of enforcing it, Markham saw its waste diversion jump from 65 per cent to 85 per cent and is now touted as one of the best programs in North America.

The program is part of the town’s efforts to meet the goals of the York Region integrated waste management master plan. Currently, Aurora diverts 54 per cent of its waste from the landfill but the hope with the clear bag program is that number will increase to 74 per cent.

The town invites residents to a public information session featuring a rotating slide presentation and samples of acceptable clear garbage bags. Staff will also be on hand to answer questions during the session in the front foyer of town hall Feb. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Residents are also invited to participate in a survey, which can be found at aurora.ca/clearbags.