Circular Materials Ontario Recycling Program Up In The Air

Craig Bakay | Mar 20, 2024

As the Province of Ontario transitions to its Circular Materials Ontario (CMO) program, also commonly referred to as the blue box program, the system is finally getting around to the smaller rural municipalities and Central Frontenac’s turn is coming up shortly.

Public Works Advisor Steve Keeley has been spearheading the Township’s transition and was at Council’s regular meeting March 12 in Oso Hall to give some idea as to what the whole thing might entail.

Keeley began his presentation by telling everyone that, contrary to some reports, “recycling is going to stay, this is a transition.”

He said Central Frontenac’s transition period is January 2025 to December 2025.

What’s changing is that the manufacturing sector is being held accountable for the recyclable containers they produce and there are three different models municipalities can opt for.

“If you opt out (of recycling operations), CMO takes over recycling completely,” he said. “But there’s no guarantee that they’ll use the depots we already have.

“For example, we could be taking all our recycling to Piccadilly.”

The second option, is to totally opt in, ie essentially the municipality continues to process recycling materials and transport them to larger depots like Kingston much like what has gone on for years.

“(But) if you opt in totally, a lot of people feel that they’re not being compensated sufficiently,” he said. “Some are reporting that they’re only getting a third of what they used to get.”

The third option, which Keeley recommended, is an alternative opt-in, he said.

“They provide the bins and transportation at our sites,” he said. “There’s a tactical advantage to this that I don’t want to discuss now.”

Things like parks, businesses, municipalities and churches aren’t eligible for the new program, but Keeley said he didn’t really understand why.

Holding up a Pepsi can, he said: “A Coke can is a Coke can, whether it’s at home or at work.”

When asked which option makes the most sense financially, he said: “This is not a financial decision.

“We don’t know that right now.

“Nobody really knows what’s happening after the transition but there is a transition so CMO can see what they’ve bitten off.”

“I think after three months we’ll know (how this is working),” said Mayor Frances Smith.

OPP Detachment Board

Coun. Cindy Kelsey defeated Dep. Mayor Susan Irwin five votes to four to become Central Frontenac’s representative on the Frontenac OPP Detachment Board.

The move was necessitated by the dissolution of the CPAC committee. Both candidates were on that committee.

Irwin gave a self-admitted long-winded speech in which she outline her qualifications such as her role on CPAC, 40 years as a lawyer, 30 of that in this community with legal aide.

“The police and I had the same clientele,” she said.

She said that while she is on a lot of other committees, “it’s the best way to learn a community’s needs and desires.”

Kelsey, on the other hand, was brief, citing her work on CPAC, her RCMP clearance and a daughter who’s in law enforcement.

CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn said she’d be meeting with North Frontenac CAO Corey Klatt to discuss who the representative for the two Townships would be.

Revitalization Surplus

What to do with the $450,000 left over from the $3.5 million Sharbot Lake revitalization program was the topic of a public meeting.

Public Works Advisor told the meeting that only projects branching off from streets that were part of the original project would be considered. Also, parking lots would not be eligible.

But Keeley left the meeting with a short list of things to present to the powers that be including replacement of a catch basin and some work on Mathew Street.

He also wondered aloud “can we pave 600 metres of Road 38 off Elizabeth Street?”

Budget Passed

Council passed its 2024 budget bylaw, with Coun. Nicki Gowdy and Duncan McGregor voting against.

Mileage Rates

Council passed a motion to keep Township mileage rates in line with CRA rate which is currently $0.70 per kilometer.

Building Report

Council approved its Vendor of Record list.

CBO Andy Dillon described building activity as “typical” for this time of year but expects things to pick up quickly because of unseasonably warm weather.