Resource Consumption: Solid and Hazardous Waste
Household hazardous and special waste has the potential to affect human and environmental health if not properly managed. Solid waste disposal requires land resources and has potential environmental impacts that range from water contamination to air pollution.
In the Severn Sound watershed:
- Waste management services, including curbside recycling, household hazardous waste and curbside organics collection programs, are provided by the City, Simcoe County and District governments. Area municipalities are not responsible for waste management.
- 6 active landfill sites and 4 transfer stations [in addition to numerous closed landfill sites] are managed by Simcoe County.
- The County of Simcoe operates three Household Hazardous and Special Waste (HHSW) depots. Residents of the watershed are permitted to use the City of Barrie’s HHSW depot. Oro-Medonte and Severn residents may also take HHSW items to the City of Orillia depot.
- Electronic waste is accepted at the Orillia HHSW Depot but service is only for city residents. Simcoe County Special HHSW days take discarded electronics.
- Simcoe County encourages organic lawn care practices, backyard composting and grasscycling.
- Freecycle Organizations operate in Midland and Orillia. Through these online organizations, people trade household goods and furniture free of charge.
- Organic waste is collected curbside in Simcoe County and Muskoka District, diverting an estimated 11,000 tonnes of material each year from local landfill sites.
Existing Waste Management Plans
In Progress