Concerns Raised Over Green Bin Accessibility in Clarington

During the General Government Committee meeting on September 23, 2019, Donna Lanigan addressed concerns regarding the accessibility and distribution of green bins for composting in Clarington. She highlighted that composting is crucial for diverting waste from landfills and incineration. Lanigan reported that in her neighborhood, 444 residents lacked green bins, and some did not even have blue bins. She noted that the rollout of green bins in Durham Region in July 2006 did not include Clarington, despite 132,000 bins being distributed to other areas. Lanigan stated that while residents can purchase green bins, they should not be a source of profit. She emphasized that it is more costly for taxpayers to burn garbage than to compost it, advocating for free access to green bins. Lanigan also mentioned that residents face challenges in obtaining bins outside of business hours and urged the municipality to prioritize composting efforts to alleviate waste management issues. She cited that Canadians waste $31 billion in food annually, with nearly half of that occurring at home, reinforcing the need for effective composting solutions in Clarington.