Transition Meaford is requesting support from council to launch a film plastic recycling pilot.
Council heard from Simona Freibergova from Transition Meaford on the plastic or polyethylene project during a meeting on July 24.
The type of plastic the pilot is geared towards, according to her presentation, is the most widely used plastic in the world and is used in a wide range of products like clear food wrap and shopping bags.
To divert this plastic from landfills, Freibergova says they have reached out to Switch Energy, an Ontario-based company with experience recycling polyethylene by shredding, washing, and recycling it to reuse.
“We’ve spoken with the CEO of Switch Energy, who presented to us a simple recycling process that they offer. They would deliver a roll of 15 bags, 45 gallon sized, that we will pick up and then return full of our collected and sorted plastic as per their requirements. The cost for the service is $90,” says Freibergova.
She says as there is currently a recycling depot for styrofoam and e-waste at 87 Stewart Street, she proposes offering this film plastic recycling program to residents at this location.
To help get the pilot off the ground, Freibergova requested bursary grant funding, support from the municipality to apply for a waste management grant from the Green Municipal Fund, which can provide up to $500,000 to cover up to 50 per cent of eligible costs, and staff support to promote this project in the municipality.
“If the grant is successful, we would like to actually create employment opportunity,” says Freibergova.
Freibergova says she hopes to start the pilot this September.
While voicing support for the pilot, council did not vote or make any decisions on the proposed project.