Greater Sudbury is considering ways to encourage residents to recycle and compost, including mandating the use of clear plastic garbage bags.
“Clear garbage bags incentivize participation in diversion programs,” said a staff analysis of the idea. zipper bag
“Clear bag garbage programs are considered a best practice and it has been implemented in Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough County and Cities of Peterborough and Markham.”
The idea is that residents would be less likely to throw away items that could be recycled or composted if everyone can see exactly what’s in their trash.
However, the proposal would let residents keep some of their garbage secret through the use of “a small opaque privacy bag within each clear bag.”
A study conducted in 2022 and early 2023 found that 94 per cent of all households make use of garbage collection and 92 per cent have access to recycling.
But only 35 per cent of residents participate in the green cart composting program and 26 per cent of households don’t actually have a blue box.
A report by Stewardship Ontario said clear bags can be an effective way to boost diversion.
“First, people are motivated to recycle due to social pressure,” the report said.
The idea is that residents would be less likely to throw away items that could be recycled or composted if everyone can see exactly what’s in their trash. (File)
“They want to avoid public scrutiny such as neighbours taking notice if they do not recycle. Secondly, clear bags serve as a prompt. If people forget to separate recyclables from the garbage, they are constantly reminded by the ‘clear bag’ because they can view its contents.”
Renee Brownlee is the the City of Greater Sudbury Director of Environmental Services, she told CTV News this is not a new idea.
"Clear bags is not a new idea," said Brownless.
"There's several municipalities in Ontario and within other provinces that have taken up this type of program to induce waste diversion and create those long lasting habits in households, to encourage that waste diversion that we want to see."
Nova Scotia was a pioneer in clear bag programs, the report said, where municipalities reported a dramatic increase in recycling.
“The 13 Nova Scotia municipalities, which have had the program in place for two years (April 2005 to April 2007) experienced a 41 per cent decrease in residential waste, a 35 per cent increase in residential recycling, and a 38 per cent increase in residential organics collection,” the report said.
And earlier this year, the City of Orillia said its clear garbage bag program reduced curbside waste by nearly 40 per cent since it launched one year ago.
"We saw a 40% reduction in the amount of garbage collected at the curb in the first full year and we saw a 16% increase in the amount of green bin material at the curb," said Gerg Preston, Orillia's Director of Waste Management and Environmental Compliance, in an interview with CTV News.
“There was a bit of opposition to the program at first, but it was moreso people asking questions and concerned their garbage wouldn’t be picked up, but now, we don’t hear any opposition to it at all.”
The idea is part of the third phase of the city’s waste management plan update. The goal is to divert as much waste from the city dump as possible, maximizing the life of the landfill.
When speaking with residents on Tuesday, CTV News Northern Ontario videojournalist Amanda Hicks found while some residents had no opinion on the proposal others felt the city had more pressing concerns – like homelessness and mental health issues in the municipality.
"They’re looking at clear plastic and all that, meanwhile there’s junk all over the place, tents all over the place. Maybe they should be worrying about the mental issues out there, homelessness," said one area resident.
"As far as clear bags, dark bags, people know to recycle. Come on. Its ridiculous. It’s a waste of time, waste of money."
Environmental and other factors make opening new landfill sites extremely expensive for cities, said the staff report, motivating communities to increase recycling and composting programs.
The report will be reviewed at today’s meeting of the operations committee. See the full agenda here.
Three scientists in the United States won the Nobel Prize in chemistry Wednesday for their work on quantum dots -- particles just a few atoms in diameter that can release very bright coloured light and whose applications in everyday life include electronics and medical imaging.
British police have opened an investigation into corporate manslaughter at a northern England hospital after a neonatal nurse was convicted of murdering seven babies and trying to kill six others when she worked there, authorities said Wednesday.
Inmates at Newfoundland's oldest and largest provincial jail say the facility's visiting room has been condemned because of mould.
Amid consistent interest rate hikes and wavering markets, Canadian condo sales are starting to fall in all but two markets in the nation, according to a new report from Re/Max.
A Junior C hockey player says he is lucky to be alive after his neck was sliced open by a hockey skate last week in an act his parents believe – and the referee ruled – was an intentional kick.
Police in New Delhi have arrested the editor of a news website and one of its administrators after raiding the homes of journalists working for the site, which has been critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist-led government.
Wab Kinew’s New Democratic Party is projected to have enough seats in the Manitoba Legislature to form a majority government, taking the helm after two consecutive terms of a majority Tory regime.
A bus carrying dozens of people plummeted 15 metres from an elevated road in Venice, causing a fiery crash that killed 21 people and injured at least 15, mostly foreign tourists returning to a nearby campsite.
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, its uses and applications grow even wider. Many people are already using tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google's Bard or Bing Chat to help them write emails, research new subjects and brainstorm business names.
Police are seeking the public's help in finding a man who attempted to steal an ATV in Meaford.
OPP has charged three people following intimate partner violence.
The Barrie man found guilty earlier this year of trafficking women as part of his escort business, Nite Candy, was sentenced to 15 years behind bars.
The Ontario government spent $2.6 billion less than planned in its first quarter, with fewer investments in health and electricity subsidy programs, according to the province’s budget watchdog.
An Ontario university student lost $3,000 in an online banking scam while she was expecting money to help pay for her tuition and school books.
If the Jays don't win Wednesday at Target Field, their post-season experience will be both brief and finished.
Two Ottawa doctors says they were shocked to see their bios on the South Keys Health Centre website, despite never working there or having any contact with the walk-in clinic.
The October heatwave continues Wednesday with the potential for another temperature record to be broken.
There is debate in Manotick, centred around a redevelopment that, if approved, could land a Starbucks with a drive-thru on the village's Main Street.
Staff, patients and visitors at Cambridge Memorial Hospital were evacuated Tuesday afternoon after a fire broke out on the roof.
Kitchener-Waterloo saw a second day of record-breaking heat Tuesday with the temperature reaching 28 C.
Movie-goers will only have a couple more days to see films at the Landmark Cinema in Kitchener.
OPP in Huron County are looking for information after some damage was reported to an elementary school in the Municipality of South Huron.
An ambitious proposal to build London’s two tallest buildings faced pushback from neighbours — but ultimately received an endorsement from the city’s planning committee.
The senior football program at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School (SWLSS) is temporarily suspended after new information has come forward involving a hazing incident prior the season opening game.
Another summer-like day is on the way for Windsor-Essex before cooler temperatures and rain moves in for the rest of the week.
Week five of the Nathaniel Veltman trial got underway Tuesday after a four day-long break and heard testimony from a digital forensic expert with the Windsor Police Service. Here’s what you missed.
Multiple homeowners from across Essex County are encouraging residents to file a report with their local police service if they feel they were cheated by a local business that goes by the name of Miracle Turf and Sod Landscaping.
A task force headed by Quebec provincial police is targeting a criminal organization specializing in "grandparent" fraud, preying predominately on elderly people in the United States.
In bike-friendly Montreal, opposition to new cycling lanes in Parc-Extension and the nearby Saint-Michel neighbourhood has been notably fervent: groups of residents have organized protests, and police have reported instances of mischief, armed assault and obstruction of civil servants or peace officers at some of the demonstrations.
Quebec Premier François Legault seemed to take everyone by surprise when he announced the potential return of the third motorway link.
The Maritimes have been on an extended run of very fair weather the last two weeks while under a persistent ridge of high pressure. Unfortunately, that pattern changes this weekend with the approach of a weather front from the west and a likely post-tropical storm Philippe from the south.
Amid consistent interest rate hikes and wavering markets, Canadian condo sales are starting to fall in all but two markets in the nation, according to a new report from Re/Max.
Nova Scotia’s top doctor is encouraging residents to get their vaccinations up-to-date as the province heads into respiratory virus season.
Wab Kinew’s New Democratic Party is projected to have enough seats in the Manitoba Legislature to form a majority government, taking the helm after two consecutive terms of a majority Tory regime.
Following the defeat of her party, Heather Stefanson has announced she will be stepping down as the leader of the Progressive Conservatives.
Manitobans made history Tuesday night for electing an NDP government led by Wab Kinew, who is to become the first First Nations premier of a province in Canada.
A CTrain was forced to stop in the middle of a tunnel in downtown Calgary following an assault Tuesday night.
The couple and dog mauled and killed by a grizzly bear in the backcountry of Banff National Park late last week did everything right, Parks Canada says.
Some say it can't buy happiness while others say it's the root of all evil, but money did cause some excitement in a southeast Calgary neighbourhood Tuesday.
A Junior C hockey player says he is lucky to be alive after his neck was sliced open by a hockey skate last week in an act his parents believe – and the referee ruled – was an intentional kick.
Showers continue in areas south and west of Edmonton AND in northeastern Alberta.
The couple and dog mauled and killed by a grizzly bear in the backcountry of Banff National Park late last week did everything right, Parks Canada says.
A Vancouver city councillor has won a code of conduct complaint, which was filed against her by the mayor.
Police in Victoria are asking the public for help as they investigate a disturbing assault on a 70-year-old man.
John Rustad's first question in British Columbia's legislature as the leader of the provincial Conservative Party prompted a stern rebuke from Premier David Eby, who accused him of picking on children and families.
Eco Friendly Poly Bags © 2023 All rights reserved. Use of this Website assumes acceptance of Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy