Garbage, Recycling and Waste

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Click here to view the 2021 Garbage and Recycling Schedule.

Effective December 26, 2020 Township residents are not required to tag their garbage for weekly collections. The health and safety of our residents is the Township’s top priority, therefore we encourage all residents to adhere to the direction of the Province and Grey Bruce Public Health and remain at home. Garbage and recycling schedules will not be impacted throughout the Provincial lockdown period.

The Township of Georgian Bluffs commissioned the development of a Long Term Waste Management Plan from Gasmsby and Mannerow Limited.

If you have any questions, please contact the Operations Department at (519) 376-2729.

Bag Tags

All Garbage bags require Bag Tags.

Bag tags are available for $2.00 at the Township Office and the following locations:

Owen Sound:

Foodland
Zehrs
Metro
Owen Sound Library
Kwik Mart 14th and 6th Street
Marine Convenience
Giant Tiger
Shopper's Drug Mart - both locations

Shallow Lake:

Allen's Mercantile

Hepworth:

Cindy's Variety

Wiarton:

Foodland
Daisy Mart
Big Bay General Store
Lloyd's Smoke Shop & Pool Hall

Other:

The Gas Barn
Barry's Service Centre in Rockford,
Springmount Service Centre,
Kemble Post Office

Biogrid

The BIOGRID plant is currently maintained by one operator on an "as needed basis". The lagoons are managed by the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA). All employees working at the BIOGRID are certified by the MOE to be Sewage Treatment Level 1 Operators.

In 2013, the BIOGRID Digester generated electricity for 11 months. Scheduled maintenance to the engine and generator was performed in October. We have not received our revenue data from Hydro One for December at this time. For the 10 months of production data we have available, Hydro One paid the Joint Board $68,987.25. Like any municipal service, including garbage collection, snow clearing, or road maintenance, there are very few opportunities for municipalities to generate revenue. Sewage treatment is no different. They all cost the tax payer money. By processing domestic solid waste and source-separated organics, including fats, oils, and greases, we are able to access a previously untapped revenue opportunity. The BIOGRID sewage treatment plant pays money back to Chatsworth and Georgian Bluffs to partially offset the fixed operating costs all sewage treatment facilities are burdened with. As a bonus, BIOGRID produces an environmentally safe fertilizer that can be used in farming as a safe alternative to chemical fertilizers.

The Joint Board encourages all residents of Chatsworth and Georgian bluffs to instruct sewage haulers to bring your septic tank waste to the BIOGRID for processing. It's" the environmentally right thing to do".

How it Works

The Georgian Bluffs and Chatsworth BIOGRID (Bio Green Renewable Industrial Digester), is located on Sideroad 3 in the former township of Derby, across from Harold Sutherland's Downs pit. The BIOGRID site is located on the same property as the sewage lagoons. The process to treat residential sewage, process fats, oils and grease from the poultry industry, and digest various source-separated organics like vegetable waste and organic industrial waste in the BIOGRID is not that difficult.

The water is removed from the raw sewage, the leftover solids are warmed and allowed to break down naturally in a process called Anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic means the biodegradable material breaks down in the absence of oxygen. The by-product of the digestion is methane gas. The methane is collected and used to fuel a 6-cylinder engine. The engine drives a generator to produce electricity. The electricity is fed into the distribution grid for general use. Hydro One pays Chatsworth and Georgian Bluffs for this electricity. The more organic solids we process, the more electricity we can produce. After the solids have been digested, the remaining by-product can be applied to farm land as fertilizer. The BIOGRID process renders the resulting by-product pathogen-free and environmentally safe. Direct application of raw sewage, or untreated waste, to the land increases the potential for contaminates or environmental hazards to run off and contaminate fish habitat or ground water aquifers, including domestic drinking water supplies. The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) has permitted the application of raw sewage on farmland in the Townships because there was no other option. However, the MOE has advised that they will not renew permits to spread raw septage on farm land in Chatsworth or Georgian Bluffs if it can be processed through the BIOGRID sewage digester.

Education

Anaerobic Digestion: The cycle by which materials of organic matter are enclosed in an area and broken down. These materials are broken down by micro-organisms in the absence of oxygen. In this process biogas is produced, which contains methane and carbon dioxide. The outcome of this process in the biogas system then runs a generator, which produces heat and electricity.

Top 5 Myths About Anaerobic Digesters

Myth 1: Anaerobic digesters have odours.

Fact 1: Anaerobic digesters are air tight tanks. All of the gases produced do not escape the digester. So in this process when the gas produces clean electricity, it has no odour.

Myth 2: Anaerobic digesters cost too much.

Fact 2: The end product of electricity that is produced does initially cost a little more than other hydro alternatives. But the environmental benefits that are considered when using an Anaerobic Digester are much greater. These benefits being; reduced greenhouse gas emissions, diversion from landfills, increased water and food safety, reduced farm odour, and renewable electricity. All of these being the most economical, and environmentally friendly and sustainable energy that is available today.

Myth 3: Anaerobic digesters take out the nutrients needed for farmer's fields.

Fact 3: Anaerobic Digesters produce energy by breaking down material in a process to create biogas. All materials that are being broken down convert into nutrients that are more absorbable. So the outcome is that anaerobic digesters actually increase the richness of the nutrients that is available to farmers. And in the end all of this matter is being broken down so the odours are even less on farmer fields then other methods of nutrients being used.

Myth 4: Digesters are too big for farms to contain on their land

Fact 4: Anaerobic Digesters are sized to fit different farms that they would be placed on. Digesters are actually smaller than most buildings overall. They do not take up a lot of space. They are smaller than a barn, and can also have a digester tank that can be partially underground.

Myth 5: Digesters just don't work in general

Fact 5: Anaerobic Digesters are very efficient. In fact the process of biogas being used as electricity has been around for many years. Today as well there are thousands of digesters producing renewable and clean electricity around the world.

Resources

www.energ-group.com/

www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/07-057.htm

http://www.chatsworth.ca/

http://www.pcbgov.com/conservation-park.htm

http://www.cowpowerbc.com/press/top-five-myths-about-anaerobic-digesters

http://www.mrec.org/pubs/2100502623renewables-manure.new.pdf

Composting

Earth Machine composters are for sale at the Township Office for $44.50 including taxes.

Curbside Collection

Township of Georgian Bluffs garbage is collected every week by Waste Management on behalf of the Township. Residents of the former Keppel Township and Shallow Lake will receive pick up on Monday's. Collection for former Sarawak and Derby residents occurs every Wednesday.

Residents who have concerns regarding collection, including missed collection can contact the Waste Management customer service line toll free at (888) 730-3344.

Curbside collection begins at 7:00 AM. To ensure collection, all garbage must be out prior to this time.

Not sure which former municipality you live in?

Check out our new Curbside Pickup Tool!

Simply enter your address and the tool will provide:

your pickup day of the week
your next garbage pickup date
your next recycling pickup date

In 2009 Council enacted By-law 74-2009 wherein each bag of garbage would require a tag. These may be purchased at the office or at various bag tag locations throughout the Township. As per the by-law, garbage must be at the curb on the day of pick-up by 7:00 AM in a clearly visible area with the bag tag facing the road.

Maximum bag size is 26" x 36" and not exceeding 22 kilograms per bag. Garbage boxes or bins must have a visible marker to indicate "full" or "empty". To ensure the bag tag does not come off in the cold weather, wrap the tag around the tied knot & fasten it to itself.

A limit of 4 bags per collection has also been put in place.

Electronic and Hazardous Waste

Now that the Township landfill site is closed, electronic waste can be taken to the Owen Sound ReStore free of charge as part of the Ontario Electronic Stewardship Program.

Household hazardous waste days allow for the safe and proper disposal of hazardous substances.

The City of Owen Sound hosts disposal days 8 times per year at the City of Owen Sound Public Works Facility, Household Hazardous Waste Depot located at 1900 20th Street East, Owen Sound.

Through an agreement with the City this service is open to all Georgian Bluffs residents and allows residents to safely and environmentally responsibly dispose of hazardous waste.

Hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 2:00p.m.

Hazardous Waste is items such as:

prescription drugs
paints
aerosols
pesticides
oxidizers
acids
caustics
miscellaneous organics (caulking, glues, drywall compounds, varnish, etcetera)
batteries
fluorescent bulb/tubes
used cooking oil.

Please visit the City of Owen Sound's hazardous materials list for a more complete listing.

Prescription and Over the Counter Medication:

The Health Products Stewardship Association operates programs locally through participating pharmacies to collect these products.
Visit your local participating pharmacy to return these products. Find the one nearest you by visiting www.healthsteward.ca or by downloading the Recyclepedia App on your device.
Pharmaceuticals/medications/prescription drugs and medical sharps are household hazardous waste and should not be placed in the regular garbage collection.

Please contact the office if you require information about the Medication Return Program or the Sharps Collection Program.

Miller Transfer Station

Miller Waste Systems accepts all solid waste from the residents of Georgian Bluffs at their waste transfer station located at:

Miller Waste System

2085 20th Avenue East

Owen Sound, Ontario

519-372-1855

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Closed Sunday and Statutory Holidays

Miller Waste Fees & Charges

Recycling

Township of Georgian Bluffs Recycling is collected every two weeks by Waste Management on rotating basis. Residents of the former northern part of Keppel Township and Derby Township are collected one week on Monday and Wednesday respectively. The following week residents of the southern portion of the former Keppel Township and Shallow Lake on the Monday and the former Sarawak on Wednesday.

Residents who have concerns regarding collection, including missed collection can contact the Waste Management customer service line toll free at (888) 730-3344.

Curbside collection begins at 7:00 AM. To ensure collection, all recycling must be out prior to this time.

Not sure which former municipality you live in?

Check out our new Curbside Pickup Tool!

Simply enter your address and the tool will provide:

your pickup day of the week
your next garbage pickup date
your next recycling pickup date

Blue Boxes

The Township of Georgian Bluffs has Blue Boxes available at the Township Office for $10.00.

The use of Blue Boxes is strongly recommended as the use of plastic bags contaminates the recycling process.

Acceptable material for the blue box:

Glass bottles and jars - used for food or drink only; rinse and remove lids
Aluminum and steel cans
Plastics - containers with the numbers 1,2,3,4,5 and 7
Paint cans - must be completely empty and have the lids removed
Newspaper and fine paper - These can be placed in the blue box or separately in a paper bag beside the blue box
Cardboard - must be flattened and tied into bundles no larger the 24" x 18" x 6"
Box board - remove any plastic liners and flatten all boxes

Unacceptable material for blue box:

Film Plastics - no plastic bags or plastic wrapping
Scrap Metal - tire rims, kitchen sinks, taps
Glass - drinking glasses, dishes, cups, window glass, mirrors, light bulbs, crystal, pottery, glass pots and pans and cosmetic jars
Plastic - dish pails, toys, make up jars, motor oil jugs, salt bags
Batteries
Aerosols
Coat Hangers
Paint cans with residue
Paper - tissues, waxed paper, foil gift wrap, wrapping paper.

For more information on how to effectively and efficiently maximize your recycling to minimize your garbage, visit Waste Management's Recycle Right Webpage.

Tire Disposal

The former Ontario Tire Stewardship Program was a province-wide program directed to divert scrap tires away from burning and landfills to the 3R's (reduce, recycle & reuse) was discontinued effective December 31, 2018.

Starting January 1, 2019 used tires moved to the new individual producer responsibility framework under the authority of the Resource Productivity & Recovery Authority (RPRA). Now to keep tires out of landfills, tire producers are responsible for ensuring used tires are collected and recycled or reused. The Tires Regulation under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 (RRCEA) designates tires as the first material under Ontario’s individual producer responsibility framework (IPR).

To assist our residents with the disposal of old and unwanted tires, the Township is currently aware of three private organizations which will accept used tires including the Miller Waste Transfer Station (519-372-1855), Grey Bruce Auto Wreckers (519-371-8380),and Stephens Auto Wreckers (519-534-0258).

As these are privately run organizations it is advised that you contact them directly prior to bringing tires for disposal to confirm acceptance. The Township provides these names and contact phone numbers for information only.