Landfills nearly ready for electronic waste
By Richard Blanchard

Simcoe County should have two of its landfill sites ready for electronic recycling later this year. But South Simcoe residents will have to travel to North Simcoe if they want to dispose of their surplus electronic goods.

The county's corporate services committee gave provisional approval recentlyk to establishing the recycling sites at the county's landfill sites in Clearview, Oro and Tiny townships. Oro-Medonte deputy mayor Ralph Hough told county councillors that the limited number of sites would discourage residents from recycling their electronic waste.

"I'm pretty disappointed. You're going to have to be pretty dedicated to drive 40 miles round trip to spend five bucks to dispose of your cellphone," he said.

Hough said that the minimum $5 charge to dispose of an item would also discourage use of the program.

Rob McCullough, manager of environmental services, said that the county was setting up a pilot program at the three sites to gauge usage.

"Success of the program will determine potential for further expansion to additional waste management facilities," he said.

McCullough added that the minimum $5 charge was designed to encourage residents to bring multiple items for recycling to the sites.

He said that the county was charging a subsidized fee of $115 per ton for its electronic waste.

"The $115 per ton won't carry all the costs. There is a pretty significant price tag," said the environmental services manager.