Greater Sudbury's communications department is getting ready for a whole lot of trash talk this fall when residents will be restricted to throwing out just one bag of garbage each week.
The move follows a reduction in 2016 from three bags to two, and is part of a longer-term plan that will see more changes in 2021, when curbside garbage collection will take place every two weeks, with a two-bag limit.
As in 2016, residents who want to discard more than one bag can purchase tags.
It's all part of a plan to extend the life of the city's landfill by encouraging residents to divert more waste to the municipal recycling and composting programs, which will remain unlimited.
Replacing the landfill in Sudbury is estimated to cost as much as $40 million – or $100 million for all three landfills in the city.
A staff report headed to the operations committee says landfills should be viewed as a “scarce resource,” and that much of what we throw away can be reused or turned into a valuable resource. As much as 45 per cent of waste that currently goes to the dump could be recycled or composted, the report says.
“Our city will benefit from diverting materials that can be reused or recycled and minimizing the inefficient use of landfill capacity by postponing the expensive cost for closing landfill sites and constructing new sites,” the report says. “These funds can then be diverted to the maintenance of other important infrastructure requirements.”
The switch from three bags to two in 2016 was relatively well received, the report says, largely because most residents were already only leaving two bags or less each week at the curb.
Special arrangements were made for people in special circumstances, such as young families with a lot of diapers to dispose of. Before the new limit comes into effect Oct. 1, staff are preparing for negative reaction from some residents.
“It is expected that some citizens may not be immediately willing to change their waste disposal habits,” the report says. “Change can be difficult and therefore, it is important to identify risks and develop mitigative strategies that will reduce threats to success.”
A multi-stage communication plan is in place, which includes social media advertising, Earth Care Minute videos and training for 311 operators.
Included in the report is a FAQ the operators will be trained on, which includes responses to comments such as, “Here we go again! The city is reducing services and not lowering my taxes!” and “Recycling is difficult and confusing!”
More operators will be working to handle calls when the changes come into effect, and staff with detailed knowledge of with the changes will be available to support the operators.
“Staff is also reviewing the option of providing 10 free garbage bag tags for each residential property, expanding the locations where garbage bag tags are sold and selling garbage bag tags online,” the report says.
The operations committee will review the report at its meeting June 4, beginning at 4 p.m. at Tom Davies Square.
