Residents in Hanover better use up their black and green garbage bags now.
In a 4 – 3 decision — Hanover is going ahead with a clear garbage bag policy.
Mayor Kathi Maskell cast the deciding vote.
Maskell says it was an easy choice since they only have a few years left on the life of the Hanover Walkerton landfill.
Selwyn Hicks was one of the councillors who voted against the motion.
Hicks says it’s not that he is opposed to the clear bags, he just wanted more time for public input before rendering the final decision.
The councillors who voted against the motion wanted a Spring review to be conducted first before a final decision on the matter.
The clear bags will not become mandatory until July 1st.
The town will implement a voluntary program beginning January 1st.
Hicks worries the clear bags may cause privacy concerns and be resisted by others over the change and cost.
Councillor Peter Hambly says the clear bag program will greatly reduce the amount of waste that will end up in the landfill.
He notes communities like Goderich have reported a 50 per cent reduction in waste following their clear bag program.
Under Hanover’s clear bag program, residents will be allowed to place one small coloured bag in the clear bag to address transparency concerns.