COUNTY OF WELLINGTON – The county's Solid Waste Services is recommending the county expand leaf and yard waste disposal by offering monthly collection and no-fee drop-off at waste facilities.
SWS Staff recommends expanding monthly pick-up to April to November and to offer drop-off at waste facilities at no charge for residents.
A report says offering this expansion would divert as much as 14 per cent of the total annual waste buried at the Riverstown landfill.
The county’s curbside leaf and yard waste collection was intended to start in Fall 2020 with pick-up once a month in April, May, October and November for urban residents. However, an interim spring collection event was provided because of waste facility closures.
Prior to this, leaf and yard waste would be offered, or not, by member municipalities. The county received comments from the public that this service lacked in some areas.
Rural residents were asked to self-deliver leaf and yard waste to facilities which required a fee whereas urban residents had access to curbside collection at no user fee.
Wellington North residents in Arthur and Mount Forest were accustomed to a greater level of service that was provided by the township compared.
The Township of Wellington North carried a resolution that requested the county waive tipping fees for leaf and yard waste for their residents.
According to a report to the SWS committee, staff have been exploring options to make their service more aligned with other municipalities.
It is assumed that accepting leaf and yard waste at no cost would lead to a reduction in revenue. However, the report says the planned increase to tipping fees in 2021 would more than offset any loss from leaf and yard waste fees.
Including both drop-off and curbside leaf and yard waste collection, the report says it is believed that $130,000 would cover a full year’s worth of service.
These options will be discussed at Tuesday’s SWS committee meeting.
