Food waste collection and brown bins are coming
NDIP issues call for citizen volunteers
A composting theme and new program dominates the latest edition of Notre-Dame-de-l’ÎlePerrot’s municipal newsletter, Moulin à Paroles.
In her introductory message, Mayor Danie Deschênes announces the creation of a Zero Waste Brigade and makes a call for citizen volunteers who care about the environment to join and play an active role in the rollout of new local waste reduction efforts.
This coming fall, food waste collection will begin within the Municipalité régionale de comté (MRC) de Vaudreuil-Soulanges. And beginning immediately, for each district, NDIP will recruit a team of volunteers wishing to help improve upon the town’s record in regard to waste management. After new brown bins have been distributed to households in September, ambassadors of the Zero Waste Brigade will meet with residents to answer their questions and address any concerns they may have about local waste collection. In addition, the newly formed brigade will provide residents with plenty of useful waste collection tips and tricks. The Zero Waste Brigade will be officially launched on Earth Day, April 21. Those interested in joining the Zero Waste Brigade can call 514-453-4128, or register online at the town’s website. All brigade members will receive training by the town.
NDIP’s collection of food waste will officially begin on Monday, Oct. 15. As with recycling and household waste collection, residents are to place their brown bin at the curb each Monday before 7 a.m.
Unlike in previous years, yard waste will also be collected in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot. Yard waste collection will begin in early May and occur every two weeks. Yard waste must be placed in paper bags or in reusable containers such as garbage cans or plastic bins.
Food waste responsibilities belong to everyone. It is noted that while the MRC VaudreuilSoulanges may be responsible for processing and recycling, that the cities or towns within are directly responsible for their own collection and transport and that knowledgeable co-operation of residents is critical to successful waste management. Readers should also note that by the year 2020, throwing out of organic materials would be prohibited under the Quebec Policy on Residual Materials.
With 60 per cent of household waste being produced consisting of organic matter in towns like Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot and across the MRC, the launch of a food waste collection program will go a long way toward diverting material away from the landfill. It is estimated that some 2,000 tonnes could be diverted if combined with home composting, yard waste collection, leaf mulching and grasscycling.