no - Region of Waterloo

What Green Binners are saying…!
“Before the Green Bin program, I had five to six bags of garbage per week. Now, I only set out about
half a bag per week!”
D. Samuels, Cambridge
The Green Bin Pilot Program Newsletter
“I find this program excellent! Our green bin is for the most part full on a weekly basis when put to
the curb. I hope this program continues for the future.”
Karen Daly, Kitchener
February, 2007
Welcome & Thanks!
“I absolutely love the Green Bin program! It is about time something was done over and above
backyard composting. I look forward to having the program expanded.”
R. Cliff, Kitchener
A Survey!
Welcome to the first newsletter for the Region’s Green Bin Pilot Program. Your
efforts are making a tremendous difference – and will help shape the future of
waste management in Waterloo Region.
If you have any questions about this newsletter or have suggestions for articles
for the next newsletter, please contact me.
Kim Kidd Kitagawa
519-883-5100
Enclosed is a survey to gather your thoughts
and ideas on the Green Bin Pilot Program.
Your response is important! We need to know
if the Region should expand or change the
program.
Off to a great start!
What’s Inside?
Prizes of kraft paper liner bags will be drawn at
random for 10 lucky households completing
the survey!
The Collector …………………. . 2
Where do your organics go? ...... 2
Call us!
Participation Rates ...... .............. 2
If you require an additional
bin for your organics!
If you have just moved into the
It’s in the (PAPER) Bag … ........ 3
pilot area and want to
participate!
519-883-5100
On average, 58 per cent of households set
out their green bin at least once per month.
There has also been an increase in
recycling!
At least 50 households are
setting out more recyclables more often!
What GBinners are saying ….... 4
If you have any questions,
concerns, comments or
suggestions!
The Green Bin Pilot Program has been
underway for over 15 weeks and, thanks to
you, is a remarkable success! You have
diverted over 180 metric tonnes of waste
from our landfill!
What’s Next? ............... .............. 4
Waste Management
925 Erb Street West
Waterloo ON Canada N2J 3Z4
Tel: 519-883-5100
Fax: 519-747-4944
customer-service@region.waterloo.on.ca
www.region.waterloo.on.ca
Contact Information................... 4
Keep up the
great effort!
He’s a natural –
profile of the
Green Bin Collector!
After being collected at the curb, your organics are
trucked to the Cambridge Waste Transfer Facility (at
the end of Savage Drive) and placed in a large
metal bin.
Dirk Cool, an employee of Waste
Management Inc., collects all of the
Green Bin materials. He has worked
on both garbage and Blue Box routes
and is enthusiastic about being
involved in the Region’s new Green Bin
Pilot Program.
On average, he empties 400 green
bins per day, collecting about 2,900
kgs of organics!
Say “Hi” to Dirk when you see him next
– he plays an important part in
ensuring the program runs smoothly!
CHECK this OUT!
Green Bin information can now
be found on:
www.region.waterloo.on.ca
It’s in the (PAPER!) Bag – Info & Tips
Where do your organics go?
When the Green Bin Pilot Program rolled out last October, each house received a supply of “Bag
to Earth” kraft paper liner bags. These bags were supplied to help make participating in the
program easy - the bags definitely help to soak up liquids and keep containers clean! A number
of questions have been raised lately about the need for these bags and about other bags that
may be sold locally. This section is devoted to help answer your questions – and provide you
with options!
Why Paper ONLY? What about Plastic Bags?
The Region will not collect any Green Bins containing plastic, even
“biodegradable plastics”. There are three main reasons why:
1.
To increase the amount of organics diverted – Organics stick to plastic
which can result in quite a lot of organics actually going to landfill.
To reduce contamination – Other organic programs which accept plastic
bags tend to have higher rates of non-organics (such as bottles and metals).
3. To meet contract requirements – The Region’s contract with the processor
requires that no plastics will be in the material delivered to them. Since there
are all types of biodegradable plastics – some break down faster than others.
2.
Every week, this bin is filled and then trucked to
the Integrated Municipal Services (IMS)
composting facility in Thorold, Ontario. Here is
what happens to process it into compost:
1. The organics are sent through a large grinder
within 24 hours of being delivered.
2. The ground organics are placed into long
piles called windrows. Bacteria, fungi and
bugs break it down, heating the windrow to at
least 55 degrees Celsius - a temperature high
enough to kill pathogens.
3. The windrows are turned regularly to bring in
oxygen and encourage the activity of the
micro-organisms.
High quality compost is created and sold by IMS
to soil depots, landscapers, vineyards and
homeowners.
… because a little friendly competition never hurt anyone!
popcorn, sugar and flour bags. Ask at the checkout of
your local grocery store for paper, not plastic bags.
F Use newspaper - Wrap up your food waste in it or
line your Green Bin with it.
Bags are available in local stores!
The following stores are selling “Bag to Earth” bags. Please telephone ahead to ensure they have a supply!
Store
Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire
57 per cent Cambridge at Cedar Creek Rd.
Canadian Tire
57 per cent Kitchener Activa Ave.
Home Hardware
47 per cent Waterloo ~ LET’S GO STUDENTS!
Home Hardware
57 per cent Cambridge at Townline Rd.
Home Hardware
74 per cent Kitchener Downtown ~ CONGRATULATIONS!
Reduce the number of paper
bags you use - only line your
Green Bin with a large paper
bag. Drop all of your organics
into it. You do not have to put
your small bags into your large
bag.
F Use other types of paper bags, e.g., microwave
Canadian Tire
MONTHLY PARTICIPATION BY AREA!
TIP! Do not DOUBLE bag.
Running out of Paper Bags?
Shoppers Drug Mart
Sobeys
Address
75 Dundas St. N., Cambridge
519-621-8180
90 Pinebush Rd., Cambridge
519-623-3360
1080 Victoria St. S., Kitchener
519-744-1153
400 Weber St. N., Waterloo
519-885-1050
1187 Fischer-Hallman Rd.,
Kitchener 519-744-4003
16 King St. S., Waterloo
519-886-2990
130 Cedar St., Cambridge
519-623-3839
180 Holiday Inn Dr., Cambridge
519-658-2860
75 Dundas St., Cambridge
519-620-9022
Store
Sobeys
Zehrs, Laurentian Power
Centre
Zehrs
Zehrs, Stanley Park Mall
Zehrs, Hi-Way Centre
Zehrs, Beechwood Plaza
Zehrs, Conestoga Mall
Zehrs, Glenridge Plaza
Zehrs, South Cambridge
Shopping Centre
Address
1187 Fischer-Hallman Rd.,
Kitchener 519-576-1280
750 Ottawa St. S., Kitchener
519-744-5981
180 Holiday Inn Dr.,
Cambridge 519-658-4689
1005 Ottawa St. N., Kitchener
519- 893-7930
1375 Weber St. E., Kitchener
519-748-4570
450 Erb St. W., Waterloo
519-866-4900
555 Davenport Rd., Waterloo
519-746-0125
315 Lincoln Rd., Waterloo
519-885-1360
200 Franklin Blvd.,
Cambridge 519-624-8170