City to host second public meeting on Waste Management Master Plan

Requiring clear bags for garbage collection and changing the frequency of waste collection to improve efficiency are two options being considered as part of the Waste Management Master Plan Review that’s the subject of a virtual public meeting starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

To register for the meeting, please visit www.connectptbo.ca/wasteplan2022 or call 705-742-7777 ext. 1657.  Participants can attend online or by phone. The link to attend the meeting will be sent to registered participants and will be posted on the project page one hour before the meeting.

A copy of the Options Report, which outlines potential recommendations that may be included in the draft Waste Management Master Plan update, will be posted on the project page at www.connectptbo.ca/wasteplan2022 in advance of the meeting.

The proposed updates to the plan are based on proven waste diversion programs, policies and strategies that have been implemented successfully in other jurisdictions across Ontario. They include specific policies around the implementation of the organics collection program, the possibility of requiring clear bags for garbage collection, and reconfiguring the frequency of collection for all waste streams to maximize efficiency.

The recommended waste management plan update will go to City Council for consideration and approval.

The City of Peterborough provides waste and recycling services to 35,319 households, including 8,209 units in multi-residential buildings. Since the late 1980s, the City has been a leader in waste diversion efforts and has achieved a diversion rate at or above 50 per cent since the early 2000s.

The current Waste Management Master Plan is a tool for both short- and long-term waste management planning. The current version of the plan has been in place since 2012.