The popular thrift location in Lakefield, Vinnie’s could be facing some operational charges next year due to tipping fees at the local landfill.
Earlier this year, members of the Waste Management Committee voted to revoke the tipping fee exemptions to two local charities who have historically been granted exceptions and advise all other charitable organizations who may ask in the future that tipping fees will not be waived.
According to a report presented to the committee in January of this year, Peterborough County/City Waste Management Facility (PCCWMF) have had the tipping fee exemption in place since the late 1990’s for two customers, one being Vinnie’s. However, over the last few years there has been an increase in requests for tipping exemptions which have been denied.
The report said that to be fair and consistent to all charitable organizations no exemptions should be in place for tipping fees.
Staff recommended to the committee that tipping fees charged to Peterborough Housing Corporation not be waived and that staff be given the authority/authorization to advise any charitable organization that request for tipping fees to be reduced or waived at the facility are not approved, without returning to the committee for each request. They also recommended that staff advise the current charities that have tipping fee exemptions, that effective December 31, 2025, this program ends, and they will be responsible for paying tipping fee rates to the facility for material disposed of at the site, effective January 1, 2026.
The report stated that it is staff’s position that waiving tipping fees for organizations poses a financial impact on the facility as the fee model is designed to recover the net operating cost of the facility. However, exemptions may decrease diversion efforts and require increased fees for other customers to cover the net operating costs.
Staff’s recommendations were approved by the committee at the end of January.
This will directly impact the work that Vinnie’s, also known as Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) does for both the Peterborough and Lakefield communities.
Deputy Warden of the County and Selwyn Mayor Sherry Senis sits on the waste committee and told the Herald, “SSVP was one of only two organizations which were provided an exemption of tipping fees over the years despite many requests from other similar organizations. After reviewing the practice, the decision to eliminate these exemptions was made by the joint Ptbo County/City Waste Management Committee in an effort to ensure fairness with respect to how the many charitable and not for profit organizations are treated at the landfill. In recognition of the impact of this change, the Committee did provide a significant notice period in order to allow SSVP to adjust.”
Senis went on to say, “The Township would be pleased to help share any public education efforts SSVP would take related to their donation process. SSVP does wonderful work in the community and it is very, very much appreciated.”
Now, Vinnie’s is looking at how this may impact their ability to operate and give donations to those in need. They are also asking the City and County to reverse their decision or consider a tipping fee reduction for local charities.
Angela Oran, General Manager of Vinnie’s (SSVP) said that in 2024, they brought approximately 260 tons to the landfill. If tipping fees had been in place it would have cost the organization around $71,000.
Oran told the Herald, “Introducing tipping fees would significantly impact our operational budget. Every dollar spent on disposal is a dollar taken away from community programs, staffing, and support services. This added cost will stretch our already tight resources even thinner. Increased expenses could mean fewer resources directed to the Lakefield Food Bank and other outreach programs.”
In Lakefield Vinnie’s provide food support to Lakefield residents in need as well as providing emergency vouchers, back-to-school supplies, and support for local families in crisis.
Oran said that the tipping fee change threatens the sustainability of the vital work they do, including:
• Funding Peterborough’s largest food pantry (over 21,100 people served in 2024)• Supporting local housing and rehabilitation programs
• Helping adults return to school
• Diverting over 39 tons of clothing from landfills annually
• Employing 42 local staff, all receiving full-time benefits
• Our ability to hire and/or retain the staff we have
• Providing emergency clothing, food vouchers, and support to anyone in need
She also said that one of the major challenges they face are from illegal dumping of mattresses, broken furniture, and household waste left behind by individuals trying to avoid fees. These items must be disposed of properly, and Vinnie’s then has to pay the price which leads to less food for those in need, reduced support for vulnerable individuals and families, and a strain on their ability to continue providing essential services.
Mike Warren, chairperson of SSVP said in a letter to Peterborough City Councillors that in 2024, their organization:
• Provided healthy food, including meat, eggs, milk, and vegetables, to 21,100 residents at the cost of $1 million
• Provided 1,000 per month to the Lakefield Foodbank
• Partnered with the Mount St. Joseph’s for a community housing partnership
• Funded adult who were perusing their high school completion
• Provided funding for individuals seeking rehabilitation programs
• Employ 42 full and part time staff with approximately $900,000 in payroll
• Divert 39 tons of used clothing to a buyer in Toronto
• Issue clothing vouchers for those in need
Warren went on to say that despite their best efforts to divert and repurpose as much as possible, their intake centre still receives tons of unsellable furniture, mattresses, and other waste that they must dispose of responsibility.
According to Warren, in 2024 they net $73,000, so implementing tipping fees at about $71,000 would essentially eliminate Vinnie’s ability to reinvest in services.
If tipping tees were to be reinstated for SSVP, according to Warren, they would be forced to reduce food assistance and close down their Hunter Street Store resulting in the loss of seven retail jobs and two to three warehouse jobs. Warren requested that they be able to meet with the city and waste committee to discuss a possible reduced tipping fee rate or exemption for registered charities that provide essential public services.
SSVP has not received a response about the possible meeting as of press time.
To learn more about SSVP, visit them on social media channels under St. Vincent De Paul Store Peterborough, which includes their Lakefield location.
