Residents in the village of Wellington will soon see a lot of information about a new pilot project that council is hoping will take off.
Council approved the Wellington Clear Garbage Bag Pilot Project on Tuesday night at Shire Hall.
The project, spearheaded by Councillor Mike Harper, aims to see recycling in The County increase with the use of clear garbage bags.
In the coming weeks, there will be three open houses to discuss the project prior to the program beginning on November 4.
Harper told Quinte News it is cheaper for them to pay for recycling than it is to pay for garbage and if they can keep stuff out of the landfill, it can buy municipalities 10-15 years more lifespan of their dumps.
There will be two open houses for the public.
There is no expense to the taxpayer according to Harper who told those around the horseshoe there are six committee members who are spending between $1,000 and $1,500 on their own to launch this project.
Foodland, Home Hardware and the major grocery stores in Picton will all be stocking clear garbage bags as part of this initiative.
Harper is excited for this project and says the interest level is there.
Each home will get a clear bag for free to help people get started and hopefully recycle more.
The project will run through the months of November and December.
The project being passed was timely as a number of County residents addressed council in regards to their lack of initiative in regards to the climate emergency and slowing climate change.
Angela Lammes, Annette McIntosh and Jen Ackerman all voiced their concerns regarding the decommissioning of the wind turbines in South Marysburgh.
Owner of some of the land that turbines stand on and wind energy supporter Jennifer Ackerman.(Photo/John Spitters/Quinte News)
Ackerman called the actions of dismantling the turbines backwards and said they should leave the turbines as a reminder of what should have been.
She asked council to change their ways as everyone loses because of this decision.
Councillor Bill Roberts said maybe they need to make comfortable changes now that they have declared a climate emergency.
Councillor Andreas Bolik reminded those in chambers he voted against declaring a climate emergency because he didn’t want it to simply become noble rhetoric.
He wants each of them to do their part and provided examples he participates in like planting trees on his property and carpooling to council meetings.
Mayor Steve Ferguson said this pilot project is a step forward to see if it works or if it doesn’t.
Harper has said there will be a report to council following the two month trial period of the project.
