Written By David Gomez
STRATHROY-CARADOC - A new green bin program is expected to arrive in Strathroy-Caradoc in 2027 after council approved a plan to introduce weekly organics collection as part of the municipality’s efforts to expand waste diversion and prepare for potential future provincial requirements.
Council discussed the proposed program at its June 1 meeting, where staff recommended contracting with Try Recycling to provide weekly organics pickup alongside bi-weekly garbage and recycling collection beginning April 1, 2027. The proposal would cost an average of $144.86 per household through the municipality’s wheelie bin system.
The report notes that while Strathroy-Caradoc does not currently meet Ontario’s population density threshold requiring municipal organics collection; upcoming 2026 Census data could place the municipality within the scope of provincial regulations. Staff also pointed to environmental benefits, reduced landfill use and the diversion of food waste from the waste stream as reasons to move forward.
Much of council’s discussion focused on whether garbage collection should remain weekly during the program’s initial years.
Deputy Mayor Mike McGuire said he supported introducing a green bin program but questioned whether reducing garbage pickup to every other week immediately would create challenges for some households.
“I want to ensure that we don’t leave members of the public out by taking weekly black bin garbage away when they may find they actually need it,” McGuire said, citing families with young children using diapers. He suggested maintaining weekly garbage collection for a transition period while residents adjusted to the new system.
Councillor Steve Pelkman echoed those concerns, noting that residents frequently asked about organics collection during community events last summer. While initially favouring bi-weekly garbage pickup, he said diapers and similar waste streams could pose difficulties for some households.
Councillor Donna Pammer and Councillor John Brennan raised similar concerns about diapers, pet waste and adult incontinence products, arguing a transition period could help residents adapt to sorting waste into the new collection streams.
Others highlighted the long-term benefits of diverting organics. Councillor Greg Willsie noted that food-soiled materials such as greasy pizza boxes could move from garbage into the green bin stream, reducing pressure on landfills. He also observed that many Ontario landfills are approaching capacity.
Council first voted on staff’s recommendation for bi-weekly garbage collection. That motion carried. Following the vote, McGuire introduced a second motion adopting the same green bin program but retaining weekly garbage collection. That motion also received support and carried, resulting in council endorsing a green bin system that includes weekly organics collection while maintaining weekly garbage pickup as the municipality prepares for implementation in 2027.
