City Announces Approval of Green Bin Organics Program and New Contract with Miller Waste Systems

The City of Owen Sound continues its commitment to environmental stewardship and cutting-edge waste management practices. After completing a comprehensive public procurement process, Owen Sound Council is pleased to announce a major step forward with the approval of weekly collection of green bin organics and has awarded the new, eight-year waste management collection contract to Miller Waste Systems.

Starting on June 1, 2025, green bin organic waste will be collected weekly, with garbage and recycling remaining on a bi-weekly collection schedule. Collection days will not change. 

By participating in the green bin program, residents' household organic waste will be made into nutrient-rich compost, reducing the amount of waste that ends up at the landfill. This will decrease greenhouse gas emissions and help the City of Owen Sound reach our ultimate goal of net zero by 2050.

A comprehensive education and communications plan with full details about the new Green Bin program will be prepared by City Staff and launched later this year.

For more information, please contact Heidi Jennen, Supervisor of Environmental Services at 519-376-4440 ext. 3223 or email hjennen@owensound.ca

Quotes:
"The implementation of a curbside green bin organics program is pivotal in amplifying the community’s waste diversion efforts," says Mayor Ian Boddy. “The City's environmental initiatives and excellent service levels go hand in hand with our residents' commitment to properly sort their waste materials and increase waste diversion." 

Quick Facts:
•    The new contract will start June 1, 2025.

•    In 2023, the Waste Management Strategy (WMS) was approved by City Council. Based on public consultation, one of the highest  priorities identified in the WMS is implementing a residential  source-separated organics (green bin) collection and processing service

•    The Food and Organic Waste Policy indicates that Ontario municipalities (20,000-50,000 population) establish a target of 50% waste reduction and resource recovery of food and organic waste generated by single-family dwellings in urban settlement areas by 2025; the preferred method to achieve this is curbside source-separated organics collection

•    On June 3, 2021, Ontario introduced Ontario Regulation 391/21, transferring recycling responsibility to producers of blue box material. On July 1, 2023, Circular Materials assumed oversight of residential recycling collection in Owen Sound. For more information, visit: www.circularmaterials.ca/resident-communities/city-of-owen-sound/

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