City stores stocking up in advance of move to clear garbage bags
Beginning in February 2022, Orillia residents are to place garbage in a clear plastic bag instead of a black or green plastic bag as part of the new clear garbage program. Residents can place up to two small privacy bags, such as regular sized shopping bags, to hide private items in their clear bag.
From OrilliaMatters, December 24, 2021
By Dave Dawson
The city’s decision to move to transparent garbage bags has been met with a lot of trash talk from residents.
On social media, there have been a lot of negative comments associated with the move, which is slated to start in February.
While many who weigh in cannot see the merits of the plan, many also have practical concerns and are worried they won’t be able to purchase the see-through garbage bags locally.
In a recent memo to city councillors, however, city staff say they have been working hard to ensure that is not the case.
According to the memo, staff sent ‘notice letters’ to local retailers and their head offices in June and July informing them of the clear bag program and the need to “stock their shelves with clear plastic bags” for both the standard (90 litres) and the kitchen catcher bags (25 litres).
Staff said they contacted Costco, Zehrs, Metro, Food Basics, Foodland, Walmart, Home Hardware, Home Depot and Canadian Tire.
Staff also worked with Glad Canada in its outreach to retailers, noting Glad has worked with other municipalities, such as Markham, in implementing clear bag programs.
Between Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, store managers were called or visited, noted the memo. Based on conversations with representatives at those meetings, progress is being made.
Costco’s manager has “already reached out to his buying department” about increasing the store’s clear bag inventory, notes the memo.
The manager of Foodland indicated they are no longer purchasing black garbage bags and will be carrying different sized clear bags.
Home Hardware has different clear bags in stock and more have been ordered.
Home Depot’s manager indicated they “have very little control” over ordering but he said he has requested more large and small clear bags.
The manager at Walmart said she can order more stock of what they currently carry – the 90-litre bag. She is also putting in a request for different sizes.
The store manager at Orillia’s Food Basics has requested more bags but noted he does not “have much availability” in requesting stock. However, city staff have confirmed with Food Basics head office that more clear bags have been ordered.
Shoppers is also requesting more bags while the store manager at Zehrs spoke to their head office in November; the store will be stocking up on clear bags.
Metro’s manager has also requested more bags as has the manager at Staples.
The manager at No Frills will order more inventory, as will the manager of Canadian Tire who suggested displaying the bags at the store entrance.
Right now, Metro is sold out of clear bags but the other stores have various sizes of the clear bags.
Clear bags can also be ordered on Amazon, notes the staff report.
The city is moving from black and green bags to clear plastic bags to help keep more trash out of the landfill.
“Other municipalities that have adopted a clear garbage bag program have seen impressive results of up to an 11 per cent increase in diversion rates,” Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke said in a recent news release.
“We want Orillia residents to be prepared for the change coming in February. Together, we can help prolong the life of our landfill and do our part to protect the environment.”
Residents can place up to two small privacy bags, such as regular sized shopping bags to hide private items in their clear bag, notes the news release.
“With the cooperation of residents and businesses, implementation of the new clear garbage bag program will help divert recyclable and compostable materials from the garbage and reduce what ends up at Orillia’s Waste Diversion Site,” said Clarke.
Once the program begins, opaque garbage bags will no longer be collected.
Collection drivers will also leave behind bags that contain a large amount (over 10 per cent) of recycling and compostable material that should go in the recycling or green bins, noted the city’s press release.
Soiled recycling that is required to be placed in the garbage (i.e. pet waste in newspaper wrapping) will still be accepted.
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