Starting on Feb. 7, 2022, the City of Orillia is moving to a clear garbage bag program.
Residents are to place garbage in a clear plastic bag instead of a black or green plastic bag.
Residents can place up to two small privacy bags, such as regular sized shopping bags to hide private items in their clear bag.
“In Orillia, almost 36 per cent of what goes in the garbage at the curb could go in the recycling or the green bin. The clear garbage bag program encourages residents to sort recycling and compostable materials appropriately,” said Greg Preston, Manager of Environmental Services. “City staff have been in contact with local retailers to ensure they are aware of the new program and to stock large and small clear bags for the program launch in February.”
The program is anticipated to also assist with the removal of hazardous items from the waste stream as items such as batteries, paint, oil and gasoline cannot be hidden in clear garbage bags. The program also offers increased worker safety by enabling the garbage collectors to see the contents of the bags and avoid hazardous items, such as sharps and needles.
For more information on the program, please visit orillia.ca/clearbag or call 705-325-3522. For detailed information related to the City’s solid waste collection program, including material sorting information, view the Solid Waste Collection Guide.