New rules coming for Green Bin recycling in Durham Region
As the Durham Region RecyclingProgram transitions to services by its new provider, Circular Materials, beginning on July 1st residents will see an increase in the materials allowed in the green bin.
Diapers, menstrual products, incontinence products, pet waste and pet litter will now be accepted in the Green Bin for weekly curbside collection.
“Durham Region will be processing all Green Bin materials at an existing Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facility,” says the Region in a press release. “This technology allows for additional materials to be accepted into the program and collected weekly, rather than every other week. AD is the preferred solution for Durham Region due to its many benefits, including the production of renewable natural gas and fertilizer from the Green Bin materials.”
The region says that the revised program is designed to “maximize waste diversion, minimize the waste being processed at the Durham York Energy Centre, increase convenience, and achieve compliance with Ontario’s Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement.”
It will remain necessary to use 100- per-cent certified compostable liner bags for disposing of all Green Bin organic waste.
“Although the AD system is designed to remove non-organic materials, the less plastic introduced into the system, the easier it is to manage, and the less likely that plastic material will make its way into the finished digestate,” says the Region. “Therefore, residents are encouraged to use compostable alternatives for products and materials accepted in the Green Bin where they exist.”
Starting July 1, the Region will also have a limited number of additional green bins available for residents to purchase - maximum of one per household - at a reduced rate of $10. Residents may purchase more Green Bins from the Region at the full cost of $19 each.
While there is no limit to the number of Green Bins that can be set out for collection each week, a maximum weight per Green Bin is 20 kilograms (44 pounds) for the health and safety of the collectors.
Residents are reminded and encouraged to download the Durham Region Waste App to access waste management information. The app provides residents with customized collection schedules, reminders about collection days, the Know Before You Throw search tool and service alerts.
For more information, visit durham.ca/GreenBin, email waste@durham.ca, or call 311 (within Regional limits) or toll-free at 1-800-372-1102.
Conrad Boyce, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Uxbridge Cosmos
