Community Update: Changes to Waste Collection

Dear Residents,

As we begin the New Year, I want to wish you and your families a healthy, safe, and happy year ahead.

Over the past year, Council approved important changes to our waste collection system, including the introduction of the black bin system and the continuation of green bin composting. At the same time, as of January 1, recycling across Ontario is now managed under a new provincial framework and is no longer the responsibility of the Township.

I want to take a moment to explain how these updates affect households and why they matter for our community.

Recycling continues as it has in the past, with blue bins collected one week and grey bins the next. Green bin composting is already in place and continues weekly as before. Beginning the week of January 5, the new weekly black bin garbage system will come into effect.

Under the previous system, households were limited to one standard garbage bag per week—about 75–80 litres—with additional bags requiring a purchased tag. Under the new system, every household has access to a 120-litre black garbage bin and a 120-litre green bin for compost, providing a total of 240 litres of weekly capacity.

The flexibility that once came from purchasing extra tags is now built directly into the size of the bins and the addition of composting.

The key to making this system work well is composting.

Many residents have already been composting, and that effort has made a real difference. Thank you to everyone who has taken part. At the same time, not all households are yet using the green bin consistently. Wider participation helps ensure that food and organic waste—one of the largest components of household garbage—is kept out of landfill, reducing environmental impacts and preserving landfill capacity for the future.

When the green bin is used consistently, the vast majority of households will find that the 120-litre black bin provides ample space for remaining garbage week to week. A 240-litre black bin will be available in the future for households that truly require additional capacity.

Residents are encouraged to visit the Township’s waste collection and recycling webpage to download their annual garbage and recycling calendar and to review the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the new system.

The standardized black and green bins also support automated collection, which improves safety for collection workers, increases efficiency, and helps ensure consistent service across the Township. This efficiency has contributed to securing stable, predictable costs for waste collection for the next five years.

With respect to recycling, the provincial move to producer-managed recycling means that more types of products can now be recycled. Residents can find full details on accepted materials through the provincial program at: https://www.circularmaterials.ca/recycleontario/.

The updates to garbage and composting were decisions made by the Council for our community. Together with the provincial recycling changes, these updates provide a more consistent, responsible, and sustainable approach to waste management.

Council understands that change takes time to adjust. These decisions were made thoughtfully and with the long-term interests of the community in mind.

By continuing to compost and adapting to this updated system, we are taking practical steps to reduce waste, protect our environment, and act responsibly for future generations.

Thank you for taking the time to read this message and for your continued commitment to our community. Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy New Year.

Sincerely,

Mike Tarnowski, MBA
Mayor Russell Township