Two Greater Sudbury councillors think there is a way around implementing a clear garbage bag mandate

It’s been almost one year since we first reported that the City of Greater Sudbury is considering ways to encourage recycling and composting – including mandating the use of clear plastic garbage bags.

During the most recent operations committee meeting, two councillors put forward a motion to say there has to be another way.

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Ward 4 Coun. Pauline Fortin told CTV News that her biggest concern about implementing a clear bag mandate is that the city continues to go back to the same residents asking them to do more.

Greater Sudbury Ward 4 city councillor Pauline Fortin talks with CTV News at Tom Davies Square on September 16, 2024. (Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News Northern Ontario)

"They're thinking that it'll get people to learn to use the green bags, to use their green bin more – right now we're at 35 per cent using it, 65 per cent not using it. This was in a report a few months back," she said.

"You know, we could encourage people to do more, but I think even our, our own facilities, we're not recycling. If you go to our arenas, we're not even doing blue box. So can we not look at that?"

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While Ward 1 Coun. Mark Signoretti said he still needs to hear more information before he makes a decision.

Greater Sudbury Ward 1 city councillor Mark Signoretti talks with CTV News at Tom Davies Square on September 16, 2024. (Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News Northern Ontario)

"I just want to make it clear that it's not just for residential, It would affect even apartment owners. So it's, we're not just trying to target one demographic (and) we're actually looking at an all-inclusive," he said.

"Until we have the full report that's coming to council in October, then I’ll make that decision at that time."

The Northeastern Manitoulin & the Islands’ (NEMI) landfill -- located just outside of Little Current -- made the switch to clear bags back in July and in that short time, officials told CTV News that they’ve already seen an improvement.

"We just try and educate people to say, here's the impact ... if we don't contribute to the recycling process," said NEMI Mayor Alan MacNevin.

"We spend a lot of money having companies like GFL, who take our recyclables from us, when we pay the same price whether the bin's full of recycling or half full."

Northeastern Manitoulin & the Islands Mayor Alan MacNevin talks with CTV News over Zoom on Septembe 16, 2024. (Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News Northern Ontario)

The motion put forward by councillors Fortin and Mike Parent directs staff to provide additional information regarding means to enforce diversion throughout the city – including recommendations on how non-residents can be prevented from using city landfills.

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If the clear garbage bag mandate were to be approved, officials said it would come into effect next year.

A pile of various plastic garbage bags in Greater Sudbury, Ont. (Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News Northern Ontario)

The city’s sustainable waste strategy will be discussed at next month’s council meeting on Oct. 22.