Have your say on the City’s Waste Minimization Plan

The City of Orillia and its Waste Management Advisory Committee invite Orillia residents to share their ideas on minimizing waste and provide input into the development of the City’s 2021 Waste Minimization Plan (WMP) through a virtual open house and online survey.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for the virtual open house scheduled for May 5, 2021 at 6 p.m. to join the discussion regarding waste minimization. Participants must pre-register by emailing their contact information to rcadeau@orillia.ca by May 5, 2021 at noon. Residents can also learn about potential goals and strategies of the plan and provide their input by submitting written comments or completing an online survey at orillia.ca/wmac between April 21 and May 12, 2021.

“By taking action and achieving the recommendations and targets outlined in the last Waste Minimization Plan, Orillia has continued to demonstrate its commitment and progressive position related to environmental stewardship,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “As part of our strategic plan, a healthy environment was identified as a key priority by the community and Council. With input and feedback from residents, planning for change and improvements in all areas of waste management and diversion will help to evolve our City services to meet environmental and sustainability challenges as we grow and will ensure that Orillia remains a leader in the province.”

The WMP considers ways the City can reduce waste and increase waste diversion from its landfill site over the next five years and sets out a number of recommendations to help the City meet its diversion goals and milestones.  Every five years the City updates the plan to develop new strategies to reduce waste, increase diversion and develop opportunities to consider waste as a resource in a circular economy while demonstrating leadership in sustainability.

The feedback collected during the consultation period will be used to develop the framework for the new WMP, which will be presented to Council in June.

“We want to thank all the members of our community for taking time to provide their input for updating Orillia’s Five-Year Waste Minimization Plan,” said Greg Preston, Manager of Environmental Services. “The feedback we receive will help us shape the recommendations and goals in the near future to help ensure we minimize what is landfilled at Orillia’s Waste Diversion Site.”

Orillia has developed four Waste Minimization Plans since 1992, covering all aspects of waste reduction and diversion. Under previous plans, the City has expanded its recycling programs, initiated a green bin collection program and every other week garbage collection, and most recently, the City approved a clear garbage bag program, increasing the City’s waste diversion rate from 52% in 2006 to approximately 64% in 2020.

To learn more about Orillia’s WMP and the opportunities to have your say on waste minimization in Orillia, please visit orillia.ca/wmac.

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Greg Preston
Manager of Environmental Services
705-325-2444
gpreston@orillia.ca

Waste Management Advisory Committee
c/o Robin Cadeau, Assistant Clerk
705-329-2452
rcadeau@orillia.ca

Jennifer Ruff
Director of Business Development and Communications
705-325-8929
705-238-9209 (cell)
jruff@orillia.ca