Different households produce different amounts of household waste. The taxes of each household account for disposal of two bags at the curbside per week. There are alternatives available for disposal of additional waste but additional disposal comes at an additional cost. This is to ensure that those who meet who are below the two-bag limit don’t end up sharing the costs of those who produce significantly more waste. The Town of Blind River tries to ensure that wherever possible, residents are only paying for the services they use. For those who do generate more than two bags per week, below are some strategies than can be employed to reduce your waste generated as much as possible before using the disposal alternatives.
1. Food Waste Reduction
Meal Planning: Plan meals to use ingredients efficiently and avoid overbuying.
Proper Storage: Store food correctly to extend its freshness and reduce spoilage.
Leftovers: Repurpose leftovers into new meals to minimize waste.
Composting: Set up a home compost bin for organic waste such as fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells.
2. Recycling and Reusing
Recycling: Ensure that all recyclable materials are sorted and placed in the recycling bin.
Upcycling: Find creative ways to repurpose items that might otherwise be thrown away.
3. Reusable Containers: Use reusable containers for storing food and other items instead of single-use plastics. Use Tupperware instead of Ziploc bags.
4. Reducing Packaging Waste
Bulk Purchasing: Buy in bulk to reduce the amount of packaging waste.
Reusable Bags: Use reusable bags, containers, and jars for shopping and storing items.
Minimal Packaging: Choose products with minimal packaging or packaging made from recyclable materials.
5. Sustainable Household Items
Reusable Products: Use cloth napkins, rechargeable batteries, washable containers, and other reusable household items.
Repair and Maintain: Fix broken items instead of replacing them to reduce waste.
6. Green Purchasing
Eco-friendly Products: Choose products that are environmentally friendly and have a longer lifespan.
Digital Alternatives: Use digital versions of newspapers, magazines, and other paper products to reduce paper waste.
7. Curbside Disposal Alternatives
Bag tags: Additional bags over the two-bag limit can be purchased at Townhall. Additional bags affixed with a bag tag and in waste can will be collected from the curbside.
Landfill Disposal: Every residence is also entitled to disposal of an additional two bags of waste per week if the waste is brought directly to the landfill.
By implementing these strategies, larger families can effectively reduce their waste generation, contributing to a more sustainable environment and potentially meeting municipal waste disposal limits.