UPDATE: Pet Feces excluded from Green Bin. Details HERE
Ottawa's Green Bin Program
The main City web page on the Green Bin Program is found HERE.
My 19 November Councillor's CORNER article on the topic is found below the following list of Frequently Asked Questions
Ottawa's Green Bin Program
As I'm sure you can appreciate, my office has received many similar emails and calls on the implementation our Green Bin program in January 2010. The following FAQs have been prepared to address the most frequently asked questions.
If you have additional thoughts that you wish to share after reading below, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
One positive reply from 'a converted family ... Jim & Dorothy' is found HERE
GREEN BIN FAQs
Who is paying for this program and how much is it going to cost?
At this time, Ottawa City Council has not made a final decision on how costs of implementing the Green Bin program are going to be recovered. This will be determined during budget deliberations in January 2010. The green bin will add approximately $38 per year, however depending on the specifics of who is paying for the program (residential, commercial, etc.), this number may fluctuate somewhat.
Why are you implementing the green bin program?
Almost 50% of the residential waste that Ottawa produces is made up of organics, but organic waste isn't garbage, it is a valuable resource.
With your green bin, you can make a real difference to the City and the environment. This program will help extend the life of existing landfills by diverting almost half of the City's residential waste. This will save money in the long run, reduce the amount of greenhouse gases generated by landfills by removing organic waste, and turn waste into a usable product that enriches the earth instead of damaging it.
How is the Green Bin Program saving me money if it costs more on my tax bill?
A new landfill will cost a minimum of $250 million dollars. By diverting almost 50% of our waste, we will extend the life of our landfills and delay the need for new landfills. Additionally, once we are accustomed to regular use of the Green Bin, we will seek to move to bi-weekly waste collection, and realize additional savings.
What about commercial/businesses/restaurants (ICI waste)? They generate more of the waste than residential properties. Are they paying for green bin too?
As stated earlier, at this time, Ottawa City Council has not made a final decision on how the costs of implementing the Green Bin program are going to be recovered. This will be determined during budget deliberations in January 2010.
You are strongly encouraged to have your say in advance of any final decision. You can do this by calling 3-1-1 and having the operator take note of your name and concerns, by sending an email with your concerns to budgetdeliberations@ottawa.ca(please make sure to state your address), or, you can call and make an appointment to present your thoughts in person to Ottawa City Council. The number to call is 613-580-2424 x12487
Won't the bins smell awful?
You are already dealing with your organic material with your regular waste removal efforts. Regular cleaning of your bins will help keep things clean.
What are organics?
Organics are materials that break down naturally and can be turned into compost. This saves them from going to landfill.
Why don't you just incinerate the garbage?
Incineration is complex issue that depends upon key provincial policy decisions regarding waste management and recycling, economics related to capital and operating investments, and the scalability of emerging technologies to reach the commercial level as needed in Ottawa.
Gasification has not yet been developed for commercial applications. The development of this technology is ongoing.
A landfill is still required for disposal of non-combustible materials and ash.
Is the Green Bin designed to be resistant to dogs, raccoons, etc.?
Yes, the green bin is designed to be animal-resistant. It is durable and has a tight-fitting latch. Animals, and raccoons in particular, have always been an issue to deal with when it comes to setting out garbage for curbside collection. Keep managing this issue as you've always done with your regular garbage.
I live on a large property that is not in a village so why did they drop off a green bin?
It is likely that your home is in an area that is directly on the route between fully serviced areas. Basically, if you receive full leaf and yard waste pick up (rather than reduced frequency pick up), you will be receiving a green bin. If after reading these FAQs you are convinced that you will not be using it, please call 3-1-1.
I compost already. Why should I participate?
You are strongly encouraged to continue backyard composting. At the same time, we also encourage you to participate in the Green Bin Program because there are some additional items that you can't currently compost that are accepted in your Green Bin, such as animal waste, meat, fish products, etc. The information package included with your green bin provides further details.
Do you think it is equitable for a single-person residence to pay the same amount for garbage as a residence with a family of six?
Again, while your household may produce less waste than other larger households, waste is a citywide responsibility. In some homes, six people may produce less than others with two who do not recycle. Managing who is producing what would be onerous and counter-productive.
I live on 100 acres and I am not receiving a green bin. I don't want to pay for a service that I am not going to be receiving.
At this time, Ottawa City Council has not made a final decision on how costs of implementing the Green Bin program are going to be recovered. This will be determined during budget deliberations in January 2010.
What is known at this time however is that garbage is a city-wide issue and when the time comes for a new landfill, the costs will be recovered from everybody. Diversion and the green bin make good financial sense since they will result in financial savings for ALL rate payers.
I'm elderly/disabled and won't be able to drag that container to the curb every week. What should I do?
Using the green bin is basically the same procedure that is used for existing garbage collection. In fact, you might find it easier as the design of the bin has an easy tip and large wheels to help you transport the green bin to the curb.
What if I don't want to participate? How do I return the green bin?
I hope after reading the above you will make an effort to be open-minded and at least make an effort to reduce landfill waste. If after giving it a try you are still determined to return your green bin, please contact 3-1-1 with your request.
Who can I call with questions about the Green Bin Program? Is there a website I can go to learn more?
If you would like more information on the Green Bin Program please visit Ottawa. Ca. There is a link to the Green Bin Program on the City's homepage. If you have additional questions, please contact 3-1-1 directly.
Green Bin
[from Councillor's CORNER 19 November 2009]
Over the last few weeks, we have been rolling out the 2010 city budget, committee by committee. My office has received many calls and emails relating to the changes recommended by Peter Hume for the way that residential solid waste services are charged to the property taxpayer. Solid waste is the city’s term for garbage and recyclables.
Here is how it is charged now:
Recycling costs are charged to every residential property on the assessment portion of our tax bill. How much we each pay depends on the assessed value of our property. Large homes along the water would pay more than smaller rural homes, for example.
The bagged garbage costs are also charged on the tax bill but on a separate line and it has the same amount for each property. In 2009 it was $84. Naturally this also includes the cost of collecting organics, which until January are not being separately collected.
A portion of business taxes are being used to subsidize the residential recycling even though they do not get to use the recycling service.
The total cost for these services for an average household per year was about $138, more for properties with a high assessment, less for those that are below the average.
Here is what is proposed:
All waste costs - recycling, organics collection and residual garbage - will be taken off the assessment portion of the residential tax bill and charged as a flat rate, $195 for each household, to properties that are eligible to receive each of the services, less for those that are not eligible to receive the green bin service.
Here is the estimated breakdown of costs: · $86 for garbage collection; · $41 for recycling collection; and, · $68 for green bin collection, which begins in January.
Who will be paying these charges? Any property that is eligible to receive each of the services will pay whether you use the service or not. If you don’t use your blue or black box but the truck comes down your street you will still have the charge on your tax bill. The same will apply for the green bin. That was the decision made well over a year ago when Council approved the separate organics collection program.
It is important to note that properties in our ward that will not be eligible for the green bin program (those who currently have reduced leaf and yard waste pick up) will have a solid waste charge that is much lower than what is charged to those who are eligible.
I am hopeful that full Council agrees to the proposed approach. I have heard loud and clear from my residents that if they do not receive the green bin, then they do not wish to pay for it and I will be voting accordingly.
WILL YOU BE RECEIVING A GREEN BIN?In our community, only residents in villages and estate lot subdivisions will receive green bins. In other words, if you have reduced leaf and yard waste pick up (twice in the spring, twice in the fall), you will NOT be receiving a bin. Visit our Leaf and Yard Waste pick-up mapfor this illustration...if you live on a RED road, you will NOT be receiving a bin.
