The township of Douro-Dummer has decided to contract Emterra Group to service their recycling needs at township properties.
The decision to hire Emterra for a one year period was made at the March 17 regular council meeting.As of January 1, 2026 regular curb side pick-up for recycling came to a halt. As of that date the collection of recycling at all Institutional, Commercial, and Industrial properties became the responsibility of said institutions.
As a temporary solution, Township staff have been collecting and transporting all recycling associated with their facilities to the Waste Connections Canada Transfer Station on County Road 6 that is designated to receive these materials for a small fee.
The township properties that require servicing by Emterra are the Douro Community Centre, Library, Douro Public Works and Station two, Warsaw Community Centre, Municipal Office and Warsaw Public Works and Station four.
Collection at these sites are to be bi-weekly utilizing larger 95-gallon totes. It was recommended that each location purchase two 95-gallon totes (one for fibers and one for containers) for proper collection and sorting.
There is a one-time cost per tote of $140 or an overall capital cost of $840.
Emterra would not service all township properties such as station one and station five which are low volume generators. Recycling would be gathered and sorted at these sites and brought to the County Road 6 Transfer Station.
The monthly cost for bi-weekly pick up is $100.00 per location for a total of $500 per month plus HST.
The operational costs associated with a pilot program through to the end of 2026 would cost the township $4,500 for the remaining 9 months of the year.
The program is to be funded through the General Operating Reserve.
Councillor Tom Watt commented that Emterra already has trucks in the township and asked if they would be sending seperate vehicles to service the township properties.
CAO Todd Davis responded by saying that is the reason they like Emterra. They are already here, already on the township roads.
Councilor Ray Johnstoin moved that they receive the report and engage Emterra for a one year term and designate the required funds.
Mayor Heather Watson asked if staff have talked to other suppliers, or if other suppliers were even available to service the township.
Davis told council that there are other companies available to pick up recycling, but staff has not contacted for quotes. Davis said they have not completed a full procurement, but would do so if requested by council.
Watson said she is not comfortable with handing the contract over to Emterra without competition as there have been complaints about their service recently.
The motion went to a vote and the motion carried.
