Wellington County councillor Don McKay offered a few remarks, both as a new county council and the new chairman of the Solid Waste Services Committee.
“I’ve had some excellent conversation with Gord Ough and Doug Konrad on solid waste, what’s involved and what’s happening there.”
Clothesline Drop Box
McKay spoke briefly on the expansion of the Clothesline Drop Box pilot project which is a partnership with the Canadian Diabetes Association.
“We allow their boxes to be located on our landfill sites.”
He said the pilot project at the Aberfoyle waste facility resulted in great feedback.
As a result, the committee recommended expanding the program to the remaining county waste facilities in Wellington.
In his notation to the committee, county engineer Gordon Ough commented that the pilot program began last fall to “provide the opportunity for residents to drop off items such as fabric, bedding, clothing, coats, sleeping bags, belts, purses, yarn, blankets, drapes, pillows, stuffed animals, hats, ties, shoes, boots, etc. at no charge.”
That was accomplished through a partnership with the The Canadian Diabetes Association in its “Clothesline Programme”.
The Canadian Diabetes Association sells what is collected in the donation box to Value Village and use the proceeds to support diabetes research, education, advocacy and services.
Ough wrote that “The reaction to this diversion/reuse option has been very positive and there is no cost to the County to be a host of donation drop boxes.
A “Clothesline Drop Box Pilot” information handout is attached for interest.
Good News in promotion
McKay also brought additional good News on behalf of the committee.
It seems Wellington’s promotion of education and recycling is getting recognized around the province.
He said Wellington County was recently awarded the Municipal Waste Association’s “2010 Silver Promotion and Education Award for Best Print Ad” and 2010 Bronze Promotion and Education Award for Best Brochure, Pamphlet, Booklet”.
McKay also distributed a number of items currently being used to encourage recycling.
For the future
McKay added that committee members are also looking at potential directions for the future.
Some of those issues include e-waste, bag costs, termites in wood coming on site, composting, electricity from waste, collection and levels of service.
“These are some of the things the committee has put forward to assess.”
Before seeking acceptance of his report, he wanted to leave them with one thought.
“You probably realize our society will be judged by what they find in our landfill sites in the next 100 years. So, I think we need to make sure we do it right, so that we are judged favourably in the years to come.”
County councillor Jean Innes applauded the movement on the termite infested material issue.
“Termites have become a very big concern in Centre Wellington. Of particular concern is the disposal of waste materials that have been taken from sites infested with termites”
At the moment there is no close by disposal site where they can be taken to.
“I would really appreciate if you can move forward on that.”
