The Owen Sound Waste Watchers' goal is to raise awareness of the impact of single-use waste on Owen Sound, local waterways and our world. The community group also encourages a reduction in overall garbage and works to increase effectiveness of recycling in our community.

Since April 20, 2019, 45 concerned citizens have organized and participated in six trash pick-up events and individually collected 108,717 pieces of litter, including 98,319 cigarette butts (the filters are plastic filaments)  and associated waste, 3,387 food-related items including plastic wrappers, straws and utensils and many thousands of glass, metal and foam pieces washed ashore along the east and west harbours.

All cigarette waste collected has been recycled through the Terracycle Inc. program (Fergus, ON facility). Of non-cigarette waste (10,381 items), only 2% were recyclable, with 10,186 items entering landfill.

Owen Sound Waste Watchers have also distributed Butt Cans throughout the downtown area, with several people currently participating in the Adopt-A-Butt Can program. The group has also participated with the City of Owen Sound staff in the downtown cigarette waste recycling program by donating one receptacle for installation and providing placement advice, and is currently assisting with the recycling process.

Local event support has also been a focus with participants attending and assisting with green activities in the 2019 Summerfolk, Salmon Spectacular and Words Aloud festivals.

On November 12, 2019 the Operations Committee of the City of Owen Sound recommended a delay on banning single-use plastic until the federal government plan of action is launched in 2021 at the earliest.

“Tonight’s decision is a disappointment. Our 2019 collection activities have clearly shown that our local community is already experiencing the impact of toxic, single-use disposable product litter. We believe now is the perfect time for our local government to show leadership by creating concrete plans to address this issue” says Laura Wood, part of the Owen Sound Waste Watchers Planning Committee. 

In addition to collection and community social activities, the Owen Sound Waste Watchers Facebook page has already attracted over 250 followers, and distributes regular information about how to reduce waste by moving towards a zero-waste lifestyle.

“We believe that individuals can drive the most change by the decisions they make each and every day” says Lori-Ann Caswell, another member of the Owen Sound Waste Watchers Planning Committee. “After all, consumers purchase and dispose of thousands of products each year. With a few simple changes, people can greatly reduce the amount of harmful waste that needs to be disposed of through our local recycling and garbage systems.”

Anyone interested in learning more about lifestyle changes, interested in participating in the Adopt-A-Butt Can project or other future OSWW activities are encouraged to visit the Owen Sound Waste Watchers Facebook page or email [email protected].