Paper bags only beginning in 2025

Local Journalism Initiative

June 28, 2024 at 2:43 p.m.·2 min read

Beginning in 2025, residents who receive curbside leaf and yard waste collection service will have to switch to paper bags.

Chatham-Kent Council approved the recommendation at its June 24 meeting to eliminate clear plastic bags and mandate using paper bags, effective January 1, 2025.

Currently, leaf and yard waste has to be collected in clear, transparent bags. Residents can continue to use clear bags until the end of the year.

Administration recommended the implementation of a paper bag mandate as an industry best practice that is widespread in Ontario.

The report to Council stated that paper bags contribute to reducing the program’s environmental impact by minimizing plastic waste and allowing a higher level of resource recovery.

Paper bags are easily recyclable and compostable, offering a more eco-friendly option than plastic bags and allowing for higher operational efficiency when depositing waste at leaf and yard depots.

Ridgetown residents receive leaf and yard waste pickup on Mondays and Tuesdays beginning April 1 through fall. Vacuuming loose leaves to the curb is the preferred means of collection in the fall only. Residents are encouraged to drop off leaf and yard waste at the Public Works Yard at 100 Erie Street North.

Residents of Bates Subdivision also have leaf and yard waste pickup on Mondays or Tuesdays beginning April 1, but there is no brush pickup.

Bothwell residents receive brush and leaf pickup on the third Friday of each month from April 15 to the end of September. Bagged leaves will also be collected at the curb in the fall.

Thamesville residents receive brush and leaf pickup on the third Thursday of each month from April 15 to the end of September. Vacuuming loose leaves at the curb is the only means of collection in the fall.

Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News

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