Zero Waste philosophy to guide new Simcoe County strategy

By Kate Harries WaterWatch
Simcoe County’s corporate services committee has decided to adopt a Zero Waste philosophy for its new solid waste management strategy.
Councillors also voted to set up a steering committee that includes members of the public to guide the efforts of Stantec, the consultant that’s been hired to produce the strategy by next July, and to give the committee a budget of $150,000.

The move was welcomed by Zero Waste Simcoe members Gord McKay and Sandy Agnew who watched the debate from the gallery.
“This was what was missing before – a rudder, a Zero Waste rudder,” McKay said.
The measures were part of a resolution drafted by Warden Tony Guergis, who stressed the need to get “buy-in” from the public on the waste issue.
The province is about to unveil a new waste diversion strategy, he added. “We can be the catalyst for that intiative.”
A third element of the resolution called for the county to maintain its no-import, no export policy on waste (or at least on some types of waste – as it sends compostables to Hamilton and industrial, commercial and institutional waste to Michigan). New Tecumseth Mayor Mike MacEachern argued against closing off any options.
Oro-Medonte Deputy Mayor Ralph Hough expressed concern about acting on Guergis’s idea without any staff input. Hough also questioned the need for another committee, as council already has a waste management subcommittee that is to meet in early November.
Cuncillors voted the Guergis proposal down, but reversed themselves after Guergis agreed to drop the no-import, no-export portion. They then voted in favour of an amended resolution. Their recommendation goes to the Oct. 27 meeting of Simcoe County Council.
The resolution provides for three members of the public to sit on the committee – one at large, one from Zero Waste Simcoe and one from the Adjala-Tosorontio Residents Association, which has been active in promoting recycling.
Orillia, Barrie and First Nations representatives will also be included on the steering committee, along with federal and provincial representatives.