New green bin program aims divert organics away from landfill

By Mark Hodgins

The City of Belleville, in an attempt to go green, is embarking on a new Green Bin Recycling Program over the next few weeks.

Between June 24 and July 19, households around the city will be getting new green bins and kitchen catchers to set up the first compost pickup beginning on August 5.

Like many cities in Ontario, Belleville’s landfill needs some relief, according to Green Program Co-ordinator Melanie Zeitz-Morrish.  She says that this program will help in doing just that.

“Organics makes up close to 40% of the waste stream. So, we’re looking to achieve a 30-40% diversion rate, thereby reducing the burden on our landfills, which are already at burden capacity as it is,” said Zeitz-Morrish.

She said that the city recognizes it is late in starting a compost program, but council realized the city could not continue along the same path.

“We’ve come a long way, citizens as a whole, recognizing that we do have waste issues. We create too much garbage, we’ve got less and less places to send it, and it’s costing us more to dispose of it,” said Zeitz-Morrish.

Because of that, she is “very optimistic” that this program will go over well.

“We’re really encouraging people to have a look at this program, it’s not much different than what you’re putting in the garbage.”

The green bins will be used for food waste and things soiled in the kitchen, like paper towels, napkins, even greasy pizza boxes.

The compost will be picked up weekly with regular garbage runs, and there will be no extra charge for this service.

Information on the Green Program can be found at http://greenbinbelleville.ca or by contacting Melanie Zeitz-Morrish at 613 967-3200, ext. 3219.