The following news release has been issued by Zero Waste Simcoe
Chair Zero Waste Simcoe Gordon MacKay pleased with Council support especially Warden Guergis
On October 27th Simcoe County Council approved its new Waste Management Steering Committee. The Committee was mandated to “consider and incorporate the principles of Zero Waste” into the County’s waste management plans.
Embracing the Zero Waste philosophy represents a bold new policy direction for the County. Supported by the votes of the large majority of County Council, this decision moves the waste discussion to a new level, one in tune with recent developments at the provincial and federal levels.
“We were very pleased with the support provided by a number of County Councillors, especially Warden Guergis, in making this change a reality” said Gord McKay, Chair, Zero Waste Simcoe.  “What has happened here is a critical first step in making Simcoe County a Zero Waste community.”
While the work of the Committee has yet to begin, its recommendations will follow the tenets of Zero Waste.  This likely means that waste recommendations will be weighted towards reduce, reuse and recycle, and away from landfill and incineration. The Committee will also look for other players to do their part.
The Committee will include a cross section of stakeholders:
-          a representative of the Adjala-Tosorontio Ratepayer’s Association
-          a representative of Zero Waste Simcoe
-          a representative of the First Nations
-          representatives from Barrie and Orillia and
-          up to three members of the public at large
in addition to the existing Waste Management sub-committee.
“Zero Waste Simcoe looks forward to starting this important work” said Gord McKay. “The County is under considerable time pressure to prepare and implement an effective waste plan. Tough choices lie ahead. I am confident that by coming together around Zero Waste that we will be successful.”

DEFINITIONS
What is Zero Waste?
Zero Waste is an overarching approach to waste management.  It is practiced successfully by jurisdictions throughout Europe and North America, from Germany to British Columbia.
Zero Waste is based upon two cornerstone philosophies:
-          Extended Producer Responsibility
-         The Waste Hierarchy
Implementing Zero Waste involves cooperation among all levels of government, producers and consumers
<strong>What is Extended Producer Responsibility?</strong>
Extended Producer Responsibility places the responsibility on producers for the environmental impacts of their products and packaging to the entire product life cycle -- and especially for their take-back, recycling, and disposal.
One of its benefits is that it allows the municipality to get out of the “garbage business”.
What is the Waste Hierarchy?
The Waste Hierarchy is the ordered list of options for handling waste:
1.      Avoid
2.      Reduce
3.      Reuse
4.      Recycle
5.      Energy from Waste
6.      Landfill
Zero Waste requires that the highest order practical technique be applied.
What Are the Zero Waste Measures the Committee May Consider?
The Waste Management Steering Committee will consider all practical measures as they fall into the waste hierarchy. While much discussion has centered on landfill and thermal treatment, other residential waste options include:
–        A stronger organics program, including local composting/treatment
–        Garbage collection reduced to every other week
–        A paid tag for every bag of garbage
–        Changing the Blue Box to a “single-stream”
–        Mandatory multi-residential participation
–        Expand the number of recycling depots and allow citizens to fully participate in reuse/recycle
What Is the Zero Waste Position on Landfill or Incineration?
Zero Waste recognizes landfill and incineration as part of its Waste Hierarchy. Zero Waste anticipates that as reduce, reuse and recycle measures are implemented, especially with Extended Producer Responsibility that the need for these two least desirable measures will trend to zero.