The new mandatory clear garbage bag program in Brockton is working.
Only weeks into the program, and the garbage volume has dropped by 25 per cent in Walkerton.
Environmental Advisory Committee Spokesperson Bruce Davidson credits clear bags for this achievement.
He says a waste compliance audit has revealed that very few recyclable items have been found in the clear bags.
But Davidson says improvement is needed in the recycling of box board particularly in toiletry items as well as metal can lids.
As predicted — organic waste or kitchen scraps makes up about 48 per cent of the garbage volume.
Davidson says this can easily be reduced through backyard composting and green cone digesters.
There are also plans in the works to begin accepting clam shell plastics such as the type berries and salads are sold in at the Styrofoam depot by late August.
If all goes as planned, by the Fall — film plastics such as bread bags, plastic wraps and milk bags will also be accepted.
A future battery and fluorescent light recycling program is also in the works.
All in all Davidson calls it a matter of public education and habit.
He says the more people do to recycle and reduce waste the easier it will become.
