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Corresponding with Gerry Marshall

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Sep 8th, 2015
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burls-creek-waste

Open letter to Simcoe County Council

Dear Warden Marshall and Members of County Council

Thank you for your reply and for the information about the County’s new campaign to increase awareness and participation in waste diversion programs.

Simcoe County is doing a great job promoting waste reduction and provides many good opportunities to divert waste from disposal. These programs made it possible to divert all recyclable and compostable materials from the Dunlop/Stanton summer BBQ – an event which fed over 400 people, leaving one 18oz cup full of garbage for disposal.

This success was possible with good leadership, proper planning, and a commitment by the organizers to ensure that waste was properly reduced and diverted. This event provides a good example of how quickly waste can be reduced in the County.

All special events held in Simcoe County can achieve this same success, but not until the County develops effective policies. Since, unfortunately, not all event organizers will take steps to reduce waste, unless required to do so.

Simcoe County needs strong waste reduction policies, with incentive and enforcement tools. Evidence of this presented itself this summer at the Burls Creek events. The attached photos (Burls Creek Waste) display a disgraceful and blatant disregard for waste reduction.

Answers are needed: What type and volume of waste was generated at these events? What plans were in place to reduce waste? What diversion programs were implemented? Where did this event waste go?

Obviously, it will take more than promotions to encourage some people to adopt new waste habits. Protecting our resources will require strong policies. The sooner these policies are in place, the sooner our communities will reap the benefits that come with waste reduction.

In the next few weeks Fall Fairs will begin across the County. How much waste will be generated at these events? Have any plans been made to reduce waste? Will recyclable and compostable materials be diverted through County programs? Who will ensure that programs are properly used to increase the quality and quantity of materials diverted and to reduce waste in our communities?

I will watch for further details about the County’s public information sessions.

I look forward to your reply to the above questions.

Thank you,

K. Clune

On Friday, September 4, 2015 11:14 AM, Warden <Warden@simcoe.ca> wrote:

Hello Kelly,

Thank you for sharing this news release and waste diversion story with us. As you know the County continues to find ways to both promote and encourage use of our organics green bin program. Reduction of waste is a huge priority to the County – it all starts with encouraging better diversion habits among our residents.

Your Zero Waste success story has prompted our Corporate Communications team to partner with Larche Communications (104.1 The Dock and KICX FM) to launch a social campaign that encourages residents to submit their own organics success stories. The promotional campaign, entitled #GreenBinGetaway Contest, is currently running on the two radio stations and being cross promoted by the County. For this, we say thanks!

This is a great way to connect with our residents, reward those in our communities that are contributing to positive change and encourage others to use their green bin and reduce garbage.

We’re committed to finding innovative solutions to increase our diversion and limit our impacts on landfill capacities. As you know we’re currently investigating the potential to operate our own Organics Processing Facility in Simcoe County. Diverting these materials away from landfills is extremely important and we will be hosting a series of public information sessions in October to further engage residents and stakeholders about these projects.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our meetings, Kelly.

Sincerely,
Gerry Marshall
Warden, County of Simcoe
Mayor, Town of Penetanguishene

From: Kelly Clune [mailto:wastereductionservices@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2015 1:27 PM
To: Warden; Clark, Brenda
Subject: Fw: MP/MPP acheive Zero Waste event – almost.

Dear Warden Marshall and Members of County Council,

The following news release is being forwarded to you for your information – a success story in Simcoe County!

Thanks to the County’s many waste diversion opportunities, and the help of County staff to obtain proper containers and signage, the following event was left with an 18oz cup of waste to dispose of after feeding over 400 people.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Kelly Clune

Toward Zero Waste at Dunlop/Stanton Annual Constituency Family Picnic/BBQ
Orillia, Ontario –July 14, 2015

Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop and Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton held their Annual Constituency Family Picnic/BBQ on Saturday, July 11, 2015. The event was held at the Coldwater Curling club where over four hundred people enjoyed a BBQ prepared by Shaw’s Catering.

In addition to greeting constituents Mr. Dunlop and Mr. Stanton supported a zero waste program. Recognizing that waste negatively impacts our finances and our environment they provided a good model of what can be done at all events to reduce waste in Ontario.

Events like this provide a good opportunity to raise awareness about the various waste diversion programs that are available in Simcoe County. Volunteers and those attending the event always seem impressed and willing to participate in the waste reduction program. People enjoyed a delicious meal, with all compostables and recyclables diverted from disposal.

Garbage leftover from the event filled an 18 ounce cup – pretty darn close to Zero Waste!

This is evidence that with good planning and leadership all events can achieve success, which will help Ontario quickly realize the many benefits of waste reduction.

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