As green bins arrive at homes in Amherstburg and Kingsville ahead of the launch of weekly collection, residents have mixed reactions to the new program with some welcoming another way to divert waste and others raising questions about how it will work. The Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority (EWSWA) is expanding its green bin collection program to Amherstburg, Kingsville, and Leamington with weekly collection expected to begin the week of Nov. 2. For Amherstburg resident Lisa Poultney, the rollout is a welcome change after moving from London. “I think it’s exciting. I moved four-and-a-half years ago from London, and they didn’t have one,” Poultney said. “And I’m really glad that we finally got it. Put it in motion here.” Poultney, who has experience with home composting, said the green bin program offers another option for managing organic waste, including items that can be difficult to compost at home. “You can’t really compost bones in a home composting situation,” she said, adding that the program could complement existing composting practices. She also believes the bins’ locking feature should help keep animals out. Amherstburg resident Tegan Soucy likes that the bins have a key, joking that raccoons will have to figure out how to use it, but she said residents will need to learn how to manage the bins without creating problems with odours or mess. “I think it’s a good idea as long as you can do it where it’s not too messy or smelly,” Soucy said. Soucy said she appreciates that the bins have been delivered directly to homes, allowing residents to decide how they will use them. In Kingsville, Christina Lariviere said she sees little downside to the program. “It’s just all around a good idea. It’s not inconvenient in any way, so why not do it?” she said. Dawn Stein, a Kingsville resident and business owner, also supports the idea but would like more information about how to use the bins effectively. “I love the idea of the green bins,” she exclaimed. Her concern is that residents may not have received enough guidance on best practices, particularly from communities where the program is already established. “I think that we probably put a lot of wasteful things in garbage bags before,” she said. “My only concern is I don’t feel like there’s been a lot of information about how to use these.” Other residents expressed reservations about adding another step to their waste routine. Kingsville resident Tracey Groom said she is unsure how she will feel about separating food waste from regular garbage, but expects she will participate. “Gosh, I really don’t want to do it, but I probably will like everybody else,” she said with a laugh. Amherstburg resident Aurelien Erenati questioned the need for another bin, saying he already has one. Kingsville resident Craig Wright supports the program but said some residents may need assistance getting their bins to the curb, particularly seniors. The green bin program began in October 2025 in Windsor, Essex, Lakeshore, LaSalle, and Tecumseh. The EWSWA reported collecting 12,000 tonnes of food waste during the program’s first year. The organic material is sent to Seacliff Energy in Leamington, where it is converted into liquid fertilizer. The program is intended to divert organic waste from the regional landfill in Essex, which is projected to reach capacity in 2040.
