Chelsea Cosh, manager of waste facilities, provided Minden Hills council, Feb. 26, with an overview of waste and recycling activity for 2025.
She noted they added a new textile recycling program at the Ingoldsby transfer station; held a second annual trash or treat Halloween event; celebrated national pollinator week; and amped up public education and promotional efforts, including the purchase of two mobile signs.
Cosh said the average hippopotamus weighs up to 1.5 tonnes, and the 23.05 tonnes of textile material collected (they also collect at Scotch Line) is equivalent to more than 15 hippos.
There were three household hazardous waste events. Cosh said 619 people attended, with 23,281 kilograms collected – more than the weight of a recycling truck.
There were two confidential paper shredding events, with 102 people attending. The events collected food and toiletries for the Minden Community Food Centre.
As for waste and recycling, some standout numbers included brush doubling in 2025, from 2024 (200 tonnes versus 100 tonnes). There was more construction and bulky waste: 1,584.05 tonnes, up from 1,057.8. Empty plastic auto containers were way up: to 1,830.4 kgs, from 740.
Cosh said the average adult cow can weigh up to 800 kgs, so the empty plastic auto containers were the equivalent of more than two cows.
The township also collected 2,111 kgs of household batteries, up from 1,150. Lighting material was way up, to 2,661 units, from 1,701. Oil filters were up to 150 units, from 25, and much more was collected in the reuse centre.
Cosh said all four sites, Scotch Line, Ingoldsby, Little Gull and Iron Mine, saw more vehicles.
“Staff continue to look for innovative and cost-effective ways to offer existing recycling and diversion programs to residents, as well as opportunities for new programs. These efforts, along with positive recycling habits from residents, help reduce the amount of waste that is going into the landfill. This in turn extends the life of the landfill and reduces the township’s carbon footprint,” Cosh said.
“At the end of 2024, the Scotch Line landfill has a remaining lifespan of approximately 14 years. This has increased by two years from the 2023 report.”
