Meaford and Owen Sound to Partner on Leaf & Yard Waste Site

The Municipality of Meaford and the City of Owen Sound are working together to offer use of the City’s Leaf and Yard Waste Depot to Meaford residents.  

The City’s Leaf and Yard Waste site on 28th Avenue East in Owen Sound provides a convenient location for residents to drop off their yard waste, including leaves, grass clippings, and small branches. Since Owen Sound entered into an agreement with the Township of Georgian Bluffs earlier this year for use of the site, Meaford residents requested their Council to consider a similar agreement. The City of Owen Sound and the Municipality of Meaford have reached an agreement of $13,000 for the remainder of the year, based on the estimated use of the site, to open the facility to Meaford residents. 

The Leaf and Yard Waste site is open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the agreement coming into effect on September 12 and remaining in place until the end of 2023. Residents are reminded to bring proof of address, such as a driver’s licence or utility bill, when attending the site and to only drop off accepted materials.  

For more information on the Leaf and Yard Waste site, or if you are a commercial contractor, please visit the Municipality of Meaford or City of Owen Sound's websites.  

For more information, please contact:  

Lara Widdifield, Director of Public Works and Engineering for the City of Owen Sound at 519-376-4440 ext. 1201 or email lwiddifield@owensound.ca. 

Jessica Wiley,Director of Operations / Drainage Superintendent, Municipality of Meaford at 519-538-1060 ext. 1132 or email jwiley@meaford.ca. 

Quotes: 

"Being collaborative and working together on issues that face us all is valuable. Teaming up with our neighbours is an important example of an innovative and effective way we can work together to benefit both our community and our environment.”  

-Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy 

“I am thrilled to announce the new agreement with Owen Sound. This collaboration will provide all of our residents with a convenient way to dispose of their yard waste. It will also further develop our relationship with our partners in Owen Sound. I am proud of the efforts being made to prioritize cooperation and I look forward to the positive impacts that this agreement will have on our community.” 

-Meaford Mayor Ross Kentner 

Quick Facts: 

• The annual cost of the Leaf and Yard Waste Site is approximately $130,000. 
• By processing organic materials like leaves, branches, and grass clippings, the City’s leaf and yard waste composting site will help to conserve and extend the lifespan of landfills.
• It is estimated that approximately 1,200 residents of Owen Sound, Meaford and Georgian Bluffs will use the City’s leaf and yard waste composting site each week.
• Additional discussions will be held with Georgian Bluffs and Meaford to discuss the potential of ongoing use past 2023. 

-30-