Bruce County staff are working to find cost-effective options for recycling and organics collection.
During the Bruce County Council meeting held on February 20, 2025, Council received a communication from the Town of Saugeen Shores formally requesting that the county coordinate Blue Box Transition Planning and Source-Separated Organics issues with the lower-tier municipalities.
The work would be through the Waste Management Sub-Committee.
Environmental Services Manager Andrew Beumer says that county staff met with the Waste Management Sub-Committee in February and has another meeting planned for May, with the intention of meeting on a quarterly basis.
“Through these meetings, we’ll work with municipal partners to identify cost-effective options around waste diversion initiatives including the blue box program and source-separated organics.”
The Waste Management Sub-Committee has an upcoming meeting in May where GEI Consultants will be in attendance to help lead discussions around waste diversion initiatives. GEI has been working with the County on the Long Range Waste Management Plan (LRWMP) and their involvement with the waste sub-committee will help align the LRWMP with priorities identified at the sub-committee meetings.
Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Adam Stanley said that there was good discussion at the February meeting, but there is more work to be done with the non-profit organization that is spearheading the programs.
“Circular Materials Ontario, who is rolling out this programming, hasn’t full announced how and who will be doing the collection at this point, so we’re still waiting on that information.”
Beumer says that the programs have now been incorporated into the LRWMP, as well as the county’s Environmental Sustainable Action Plan.
