Chatham-Kent is examining the possibility of adjusting curbside garbage collection to include additional pickups for organic waste.
In a report delivered to Chatham-Kent Council this week, municipal staff recommended conducting a feasibility study for a new comprehensive organics diversion program that would begin between 2025-2026.
The study would also examine the feasibility of a backyard composter program, to be introduced in 2024.
Municipal staff are also recommending reducing the frequency of normal garbage collection from weekly to bi-weekly, should the Green Bin Program be implemented.
According to the report, Chatham-Kent’s garbage generation has increased 25 per cent over the last seven years, and organic waste makes up around 30 per cent of residential garbage.
Staff said a Green Bin Program would be an effective method of diverting waste from Ontario landfills.
An organics diversion program will likely be up for discussion again as part the municipality’s next waste management contract. The current contract is set to expire on December 31, 2023.