A green bin program in Owen Sound could cost up to $1.8-million annually.
That’s according to a consultant the city retained for a review of waste management services.
A business case and pilot program for curbside food scraps collection — a green bin program — is one of 16 options Dillon Consulting identified for further evaluation and consideration by council as it reviews the city’s waste management strategy.
City staff say in a budget report the implementation of a residential green bin collection and processing service is one of the highest priorities identified in the review.
High-level cost estimates in the consultant’s report project one-time capital start-up costs of $700,000 to $1-million, and then annual operating expenses somewhere between $600,000 and $1.8-million to run a green bin program in Owen Sound.
“The numbers as seen for the first time are quite eye-popping,” says Owen Sound Deputy Mayor and Operations Committee Chair Scott Greig. “However, there’s the opportunity to implement a pilot program. And have that pilot program further inform capital and operational costs.”
The city has allocated $50,000 in its 2023 capital plan for a green bin feasibility study.
Owen Sound’s operations committee passed a motion recently to include the feedback from Dillon Consulting in the city’s final draft waste management strategy, which will return to committee next month before it comes to council in May.
Dillon was retained by the city to complete a review of existing services while exploring new and innovative ways to provide waste management. Community feedback, including online surveys and an in-person event, helped inform the consultant’s report.