Waste Management Strategy

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kids recycling

Undertaking a Waste Management Strategy was identified as part of Council's Strategic Plan Refresh under the priority area of being a Green City.

Under the Environment Pillar, the Goal statement reads:

We will continue to ensure environmental integrity is maintained in Owen Sound and the surrounding area by protecting our environment and natural assets. We will protect, preserve, maintain and enhance Owen Sound’s scenic and natural heritage, and we will do so by using resources wisely, cooperating with adjoining communities and agencies, and taking responsibility for City actions.

The Waste Management Strategy will place an emphasis on waste reduction, reuse, and recycling activities that are environmentally sustainable and cost-effective.

The strategy will also work to mitigate climate change impacts under the current waste management system and find solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Waste Management is one area that can have a direct impact on Climate Action at the municipal level.


Are you interested in hearing more about the 15 options that are prioritized for consideration in our Solid Waste Management Strategy? Join us at the following:

- Virtual Open House: Tuesday October 4, 2022 at 6pm via Zoom
Register here


- Virtual Open House: Wednesday October 5, 2022 at 2pm via Zoom
Register here


- Community Pop-Up Event at the Owen Sound Farmers Market: Saturday October 15, 2022 at 8:30 am

Undertaking a Waste Management Strategy was identified as part of Council's Strategic Plan Refresh under the priority area of being a Green City.

Under the Environment Pillar, the Goal statement reads:

We will continue to ensure environmental integrity is maintained in Owen Sound and the surrounding area by protecting our environment and natural assets. We will protect, preserve, maintain and enhance Owen Sound’s scenic and natural heritage, and we will do so by using resources wisely, cooperating with adjoining communities and agencies, and taking responsibility for City actions.

The Waste Management Strategy will place an emphasis on waste reduction, reuse, and recycling activities that are environmentally sustainable and cost-effective.

The strategy will also work to mitigate climate change impacts under the current waste management system and find solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Waste Management is one area that can have a direct impact on Climate Action at the municipal level.


Are you interested in hearing more about the 15 options that are prioritized for consideration in our Solid Waste Management Strategy? Join us at the following:

- Virtual Open House: Tuesday October 4, 2022 at 6pm via Zoom
Register here


- Virtual Open House: Wednesday October 5, 2022 at 2pm via Zoom
Register here


- Community Pop-Up Event at the Owen Sound Farmers Market: Saturday October 15, 2022 at 8:30 am

  • Background

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    The residential collection service in the City of Owen Sound operates on a bi-weekly waste and recycling collection cycle, with monthly corrugated cardboard collection. The current contract with the service provider for recycling and waste started June 1, 2016 and expires on May 31, 2023.

    The city will transition to a Producer Responsibility, Common Blue Box collection system to collect recyclable material in July 2023. The transition to the Producer Responsibility collection system for recyclable material will allow the city to explore introducing a source-separated organics program.

    On April 30, 2018, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks issued a Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement. The policy highlighted that focusing on preventing, reducing, rescuing surplus food, and recovering food and organic waste sets the policy foundation for achieving our goals of building a circular economy for Ontario while contributing to reducing greenhouse gases and the province’s Climate Change Action Plan targets.

    The city also promotes three goods exchange days throughout the year. Residents are encouraged to divert usable items and materials from landfill disposal. The City also partners with surrounding municipalities to deliver eight Household Hazardous Waste collection and disposal events on a fee-for-service basis. The City also receives leaf & yard waste and brush materials from residential properties at the Leaf and Yard Waste Compost Site.

Page last updated: 06 Feb 2023, 12:29 PM