By: Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
Residents in Kingsville, Leamington, and Amherstburg are soon to join the rest of the Windsor-Essex County region in participating in the organic green bin pick-up program.
Over the next several weeks, the Essex Windsor Solid Waste Authority (EWSWA) and its contractor will deliver around 27,000 green bin kits to these communities.
Cathy Copot-Nepszy, Waste Diversion Manager, said EWSWA will keep up with communications, so residents will know when to expect their green bin kit to arrive.
Deliveries will start in Leamington the week of September 14, then move to Kingsville, and then Amherstburg. This will give EWSWA plenty of time to work out any kinks and answer any questions residents may have before the three communities join the pick-up program the first week of November.
From there, every community in the Windsor-Essex region will be part of the weekly pick-up program.
Last year, EWSWA delivered four-times as many green bins, and the process was smooth, Copot-Nepszy said. She is looking forward to working with the contractor and residents to ensure phase two of the program is delivered as seamlessly as possible as well.
Cathy Copot-Nepszy noted the 120L green bins will be delivered at the bottom of driveways. The large green bin will come with a sticker that provides information about the program. She noted it is important for residents to read that sticker and follow any directions provided. It is important not to use the green bin until a week before the organics program begins.
Inside the green bin, residents will find a seven-litre kitchen catcher, two different types of compostable
bag samples, a how-to guide, and a coupon. It is recommended that residents immediately remove these items from the green bin and store them inside the home.
Families and individuals, Copot- Nepszy said, need to start thinking about how they will move food waste through their kitchen in participating in the program.
If residents experience any issues with their green bin, Copot-Nepszy urges them to connect with Essex Windsor Solid Waste Authority, which may send out a maintenance team to look at the bin. That can be, for instance, the wheels have fallen off, or the lid is warped. She suggested if residents notice their green bin lid is warped, to keep the lid closed and locked and let it sit in the sun before calling EWSWA. That should let it settle over the next few weeks.
Copot-Nepszy said it is also important for homeowners to keep the green bin lid closed. It has a lock on it to keep out pests and keep contents inside during inclement weather. This is a bonus feature added to the green bins. If families want to remove the lock, they can, or they can ask EWSWA to remove it for them.
Residents can sign up to use EWSWA’s Recycle Coach app or follow it online to remain up- to-date on the delivery schedule, when their pick-up date will be, and keep up to date on holiday changes. They can also refer to their municipal collection calendars.
So far, Copot-Nepszy said she is pleased with the results of the green bin program. With residents utilizing the program and separating organic waste from other garbage, she said EWSWA just hit 10,000 metric tons that have been diverted from the landfill.
“That has a significant impact on the region,” Copot-Nepszy said. “We are excited to see what adding three municipalities will add to how much more we can divert from the landfill.”
Organic waste is shipped to Leamington, where it is turned into a liquid fertilizer, which farmers can then use to spray onto fields to support crops. Copot- Nepszy added it is also creating renewable energy.
For more information, log on to www.ewswa.org/green-bin-program. Those with questions can also call 1-800-563-3377.