It’s a huge success story in Saugeen Shores.
Director of Public Works Bill Jones says they’ve expanded the life of the landfill
while almost reaching the provincial target for waste diversion.
Jones says when the Pay As You Throw bag tag system was introduced in 2007 the landfill was estimated to only have 13 years left.
Today, it now has 16.8 years still to go.
Jones also says the town’s diversion rate was only 35 per cent in 2007 and it’s now up to 58 per cent – just 2 per cent shy of the provincial target.
Jones says curb side collection in Saugeen Shores has been reduced by over 1.2 million pounds per year thanks to bag tags, additional recycling opportunities, and improved public education.
He says the average Canadian generates about 791 kilograms of waste per year, while the average Saugeen Shores resident only generated 572 kgs in 2009.
Jones says revenues from bag tags did not meet budget expectations in 2009 as diversion rates increased.
However, he points out that extending the life of the landfill represents millions of dollars and far outweighs the deficit in bag tag revenues – while also meaning great things for the environment.
Jones expects the numbers in Saugeen Shores to keep getting better and the provincial diversion target of 60 per cent could be reached this year or in 2011.