Haldimand County re-introducing ‘Clean and Green’ program ahead of Earth Day

Haldimand County is committed to investing in programs and partnerships that contribute to the vibrancy and health of its communities. In addition to offering Community Partnership Program capital grants, Community Beautification grants and related supports, Haldimand County provides support to community groups and individuals who wish to lead community clean-up activities.

The County provides supplies like gloves, garbage/recycling bags, pickers, brooms, vandalism wipes and other items to those who wish to lead a community clean-up day(s). The County will also coordinate for waste to be picked up once the clean-up is complete!

Check out the new, simplified Clean & Green application online at HaldimandCounty.ca/Clean-and-Green/.

Anyone seeking further information about Haldimand County’s Clean and Green Program is encouraged to call 905-318-5932, ext. 6119 or e-mail Haldimand County’s Community Development & Partnerships Division at cdp@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

Haldimand County recognized for Grand River water quality improvement efforts

Haldimand County has been recognized by the Grand River Conservation Authority for its efforts to improve the water quality of the Grand River.

During the Grand River Conservation Authority’s annual Grand River Watershed Wide Optimization Program workshop on Tuesday, November 20, recognition awards were handed out to a number of municipalities for their water quality improvement efforts throughout 2017. All three of Haldimand County’s wastewater treatment plants discharging to the Grand River were recognized: Caledonia, Cayuga and Dunnville.

Caledonia’s wastewater treatment plant was the only plant in the entire Grand River watershed to receive gold recognition. The Dunnville plant received silver and Cayuga obtained bronze. To be recognized, municipalities are required to meet specific criteria related to environmental compliance regulations and performance reporting. Haldimand County met – and in some cases exceeded – recognition criteria.

The GRCA continuously works with municipal water managers and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to improve the operation of wastewater treatment plants.

The goal of the Wastewater Optimization Program is to raise the quality of the treated effluent that leaves the plant and enters a river or stream.

“This recent recognition fully demonstrates our commitment to protecting the natural environment by reducing pollutant discharges to the Grand River”, said Mayor Ken Hewitt. “These achievements are primarily a result of enhancing process control through data based decision-making and efforts to understand plant needs, which over time have saved the County a significant amount of money through infrastructure deferral,” he continued.

For more information about the County’s water and wastewater treatment operations, including water quality reports, visit the Water and Wastewater page.

Take Back The Light Program Success: County Recycling Efforts Making An Impact

In 2017, Haldimand County joined the Recycling Council of Ontario’s Take Back The Light program – Canada’s leading fluorescent lamp and light fixture recycling program for businesses and institutions. As per the latest program statistics, the County has recycled over 14,450 lamps to date.

Upon joining Take Back The Light in 2017, the County’s Solid Waste Operations team set out with a plan: to work collaboratively with staff responsible for replacing fluorescent lighting in arenas, administration building, libraries, and other municipal facilities. A lighting replacement and maintenance strategy was developed, along with a Take Back The Light-approved process for safely disposing of old bulbs and fixtures. In addition, residents were urged to bring their used light fixtures to various hazardous waste drop-off events – residential participation is a key driver for program success.

The improper disposal of fluorescent lamps results in hundreds of kilograms of mercury leaking into the environment and contaminating water bodies. Through Take Back The Light, 98 per cent of each lamp/light collected is diverted from disposal. The light and lamp components – glass, aluminum, phosphorus and mercury – are recycled to make new products.

By recycling 14,450 lamps, Haldimand County has ensured the proper end of life management of .050 kg of mercury, 48.7 kg of phosphorus, 3411.0 kg of glass and 50.0 kg of metals.

Residents who have fluorescent lights or old lamps they wish to dispose of are encouraged to drop them off at designated Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) disposal events run by the County. The next HHW event will take place on Saturday, September 29th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hagersville Secondary School.

Residents with questions about the County’s solid waste or recycling programs are encouraged to consult their Waste & Recycling Guide or download the Recycle Coach app.