County given environmental award

The County of Simcoe has been recognized with a bronze award for excellence and commitment to a sustainable environment from the Recycling Council of Ontario. Only four municipalities in Ontario received higher awards for waste diversion achieved in 2006.

Ontario Waste Minimization awards were presented at a ceremony in Toronto recently, to recognize municipalities and organizations for waste reduction activities across the province.

"We are honoured to be the recipient of this award which reflects our ongoing commitment to addressing the waste issues facing Simcoe County," said county warden Tony Guergis. "Our staff is committed to developing further waste reduction programs that will minimize the amount of garbage being delivered to landfills and I want to thank County residents for ensuring these efforts are successful.

"County council continues to champion the advancement of environmental sustainability for all our residents by implementing initiatives like our new organics program which will take effect in 2008. Receiving this award recognizes our determination to be on the leading edge of solid waste management."

The county will launch its curbside organics collection program in September, for all residents currently receiving waste collection. Beginning September 29, 2008, households will receive weekly curbside organics collection, along with weekly two-stream recycling collection and garbage collection with a one bag limit. Green bins and information kits will be delivered prior to program implementation.

The RCO's annual award acknowledges the province's leaders in waste reduction for program excellence as part of Waste Reduction Week in Canada.

A 10-year record number of submissions were judged by a panel of experts from the public and private sectors using criteria such as the current diversion rate, the establishment of measurable and achievable targets, broad community involvement and the development of by-laws to support the plan.