Perforated pipes collect leachate to be stored and treated.

The Diversion DigestThe County of Dufferin’s Waste Management Newsletter

FALL 2012

The Lowdown on Landfills

A plastic and/or clay liner prevents leachate from oozing down into the ground.

As organics

decompose they produce

a liquid called leachate

that picks up toxic elements

as it trickles down to the bottom.

Large equipment at the landfill compacts the waste,

so that it takes as little volume as possible.

The bottom plastic and clay liners, the daily cover and the constant compaction act together to create conditions that prevent waste from decomposing, slowing the production of leachate and protecting the surrounding environment.

Without oxygen and water needed to break down organic

materials, all garbage decays very slowly in a landfill.

As organic material breaks down itreleases methane gas, which can

be collected for fuel and must be constantly monitored long

after the landfill has closed.

the simple story on where our garbage goes when we throw it away

Every day a layer of soil is put over the exposed part of the landfill

Eventually a landfill gets full. Finding a location for a new landfill is very difficult. How about your neighbourhood? Didn’t think so.

to isolate the waste from the surrounding environment.

A landfill is a carefully designed structure built into or on top of the ground to bury waste.

The Dufferin Farm Fresh Local Food Map was created to link consumers with producers, so that people in our county and beyond can find fresh, homegrown and nutritious food.

The map highlights local farmers, farmers markets, restaurants and retailers who grow, produce or sell local food.

If you haven’t already picked up your local food map, now is the time to do it! Maps can be found at municipal offices and farmers markets. Visit www.dufferinfarmfresh.com for more information.

save the date

CompostGive Away Day

Saturday September 15th.

4 Locations!Orangeville Farmers Market

87 Broadway (behind Town Hall)

Grand Valley Works Yard56 Main Street N., Grand Valley

Shelburne Works Yard420 Victoria Street, Shelburne

Mono Works Yard347209 Mono Centre Road (Cty. Rd. 8)

Bring your own shovel and container. First come first served.

Waste management is more than taking out the trash once a week. We all know that. There are many programs out there designed to help us reduce the amount of waste we produce, reuse what’s still good, recycle valuable materials and safely dispose of what’s left over. Starting next year, the County of Dufferin hopes to make navigating this waste web a little easier.

On June 1st, 2013, the County will launch a new waste management system. For the first time, Dufferin will have the responsibility to manage not only organics, hazardous and electronic wastes, but also garbage, recycling and all the rest discarded by households.

This is an incredible opportunity to start fresh by consolidating garbage, recycling and organics collection programs across the County. Residents in all local municipalities will enjoy the same curbside

service, with the same rules on what goes where, whether that’s the blue box, the green bin or the garbage.

Stayed tuned for more details on the new program. Check out our website at www.dufferincounty.on.ca/waste or follow us on Twitter @DufferinWaste. You can also email us at wastemgmt@dufferincounty.on.ca or call (519) 941-2816 ext. 2620.

A fresh start coming in June 2013!

When and where are these events?

Saturday September 8th 8am - 3pm Township of East Luther Grand Valley Works Yard 56 Main Street N., Grand ValleySaturday October 6th 8am - 3 pm Primrose Operations Centre 635666 Highway 10 (just south of Highway 89)Saturday October 27th 8am - 3 pm Town of Orangeville Operations Centre 500 C-Line, Orangeville

I have a computer to get rid of, but it still works. Seems like a waste to recycle it. What should I do?

NEW THIS YEAR! Dufferin County has partnered with Share-IT, an initiative to collect used computers and IT equipment (printers, scanners, cell phones, etc.) for distribution of refurbished units to those less fortunate and low income families. Just bring your used IT equipment to any of our event days and Share-IT will collect, refurbish and redistribute it to a family in need in our community! Visit www.communityenvironment.org for more information.

What can i bring to the event days?

Hazardous Wastesbatterieshousehold cleanerspesticidesrat poisonbleachpharmaceuticalspool chemicalsaerosolsgasolineoils paintsBBQ starterssolventspropane cylinderscompact fluorescent (CFL) bulbsfluorescent tubessharps and syringes (in hard container)

Electronic Wastesdesktop, laptop and tablet computerscomputer peripherals including modems, keyboards, mice and hard drivesoptical drives (CD, Blu-ray, DVD, HD-DVD)monitorsprinters, scanners, and multi-function devicestypewriterstelephones and answering machinescellular phones, smart phones and pagerstelevisionsvideo players and recorders video projectors, digital framescameras (web, digital, analog)audio players and recorders (eg. MP3, cassette)radios and turntablesspeakers and equalizers/(pre)amplifiersreceivers

No garbage, recycling or commercial/business waste will be accepted at these events, including appliances (i.e. microwaves, stoves, toasters, coffee machines, refigerators, washers, dryers), vacuums, lights, fans, air conditioners and dehumidifiers.

Drums of material will not be accepted at these events, due to restrictions with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act. Please place materials into smaller containers for collection at the events.

The events are for Dufferin County residents only: the Towns of Mono, Orangeville and Shelburne, and the Townships of Amaranth, East Garafraxa, East Luther Grand Valley, Melancthon and Mulmur.

2011 Statistics

3,243 vehicles

8 event days

50,762 kg and 48,120 L of hazardous wastes

998 televisions

727 computer monitors

66,716 kg electronics

4,250 kg of batteries

Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste Event Daysfrequently asked questions

Do you have the latest edition of the Directory?

The Take It Back Directory is a one-stop shop for retailers, vendors and organizations that “take back” items for reuse, recycling or proper disposal. If you didn’t receive your copy in the mail you can pick one up at any municipal office or give us a call at 519-941-2816 ext. 2620. Some examples of items that organizations accept:

Automotivetiresoilbatteriesscrap metalantifreezepartstransmission fluid

Electroniccell phones batteriesvacuumssmall appliancestelevisionscomputersCDs, DVDs, VCRs

Gardenpotsvasesflats

Healthold medicationsyringeseyeglasseswheelchairs walkerscaneshearing aids

Householdclothingbookssports equipmenthangerspaintfurniturebubble wrap

The Diversion Digest is published by the County of Dufferin’s Waste Management Division.

(519) 941-2816 ext. 2620wastemgmt@dufferincounty.on.cawww.dufferincounty.on.ca/waste

Printed on 100% post-consumer paper.

Follow us on Twitter @DufferinWaste

dufferin composts!Did you know that

soiled paper products can go in the green bin?

That’s right! Paper towels, napkins, tissues, coffee filters, shredded paper and even greasy pizza boxes and microwave popcorn bags can go in the green bin! Paper plates can also go in the green bin as long as they don’t have a waxy coating.

Take it Back!