Wrapping up talk on new bale plastic program
By Richard Blanchard

Simcoe County will attempt to keep its plastic bale wrap program in place despite a lack of markets for the program. Members of the county's corporate services committee gave their approval last week to see if a more advantageous contract could be reached with Think Plastics.

The New Hamburg company has asked for a ten year contract with the county to recycle the material which is used to wrap hay bales.

A report from the Environmental Services Department noted that the county had problems with contamination with much of the material which was collected in the past and saw just seven tons collected. The wrap is recycled into a variety of plastic wood products.

Although there is no tipping fee charged, the county would be faced constructing some infrastructure including a collection pad of 900 square paved feet to store the material and additional bins.

"We were hoping to find someone else who might be able to recycle the material but there is no other market, " said Rob McCullough of environment services.

He said that staff had recommended that the program be discontinued because of the costs and limited use of the program.

Adjala-Tosorontio mayor Tom Walsh said that he hoped that the program would continue.

"Maybe we can negotiate a shorter term contract with the recycler," he said.

The committee will be updated about these discussions.