Fall Survey

Dufferin County is updating our 2018 Long-Term Waste Management Strategy (LTWMS Update), and we'd like your input! The LTWMS Update will look at the County’s current waste management systems and recommendations such as waste reduction and diversion and identify opportunities for improvement and future potential options.

The focus is on the next five years, and this LTWMS Update will continue to help shape the future of sustainable waste management in Dufferin County.

The purpose of this survey is to provide a platform to gather the public’s current perspectives, challenges and ideas on the County’s waste management services and programs. We want to hear from you!

As a reminder, since July of 2023, residential Blue Box collection services are no longer under the responsibility of or managed by Dufferin County and therefore are not included in this survey and waste management strategy update. Information about to the residential Blue Box program can be found at the Circular Materials website (link below), or by contacting their contractor GFL at 1-888-941-3345 ext. 1 or emailing dispatch-sandhill@gflenv.com.

https://www.circularmaterials.ca/resident-communities/dufferincounty/

This survey includes thirteen waste related questions. Please share it with your family, friends and colleagues. The closing date for participation is December 8 at 12pm (Noon).

Waste Management Questions

Do you agree with the 2018 LTWMS Mission Statement and Goals? (select one).

Mission: To update and enhance the County’s waste management system to maximize the diversion of waste from disposal in an economic, environmental and socially responsible manner.

The four goals of the LTWMS include:

Goal #1: Maximize diversion of waste from disposal.

Goal #2: Explore waste management opportunities that are either local or located within Central Ontario.

Goal #3: Involve stakeholders and the public through continual education and feedback to support and facilitate individuals and businesses taking responsibility for their waste.

Goal #4: Continue with waste diversion programming that is consistent with provincial waste management policy.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Not Sure/Neutral

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Overall, how satisfied are you with the current waste management programs and services provided by Dufferin County. These include curbside collection (garbage, yard waste, green bin organics, bulk waste and white goods), waste diversion programs and services, reuse and swap events, waste reduction education and promotion, waste calendars, free compost giveaways, website, customer service, etc.?

Very satisfied

Somewhat satisfied

Neutral

Somewhat dissatisfied

Very dissatisfied

When thinking about the future of waste management in Dufferin County, what is the most important to you or future top priorities? (1 = Top priority, 7= Lowest priority)

Waste reduction and reuse

Select

Effective education and promotion of waste management

Select

Enforcement of waste management bylaws

Select

Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change

Select

Diversion of waste from disposal

Select

Cost to taxpayers and efficiency of services

Select

Other

Select

Please explain the "other" priority in the next question.

Please describe your "other" priority not listed in question #4.

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

What challenges or barriers, if any, do you currently experience related to waste management services or programs in Dufferin County? Select all that apply.

Lack of information

Inconvenient collection schedule or location

Unclear sorting rules

The green bin organics program

Not enough motivation/incentives

Other (please specify)

What types of enhanced programs or services would you be interested in to reduce and divert waste sent to landfill? Select all that apply.

More reuse programs (e.g., clothing swap events, used clothing (textiles) collections, curbside swap days etc.)

More drop-off areas or locations (e.g. Take It Back Program)

Community-based programs (e.g., classes, workshops, repair cafes, etc.)

Education and promotional resources

Household Hazardous and Special Waste depots (e.g., paint, solvents, batteries) and Electronics

Other (please specify)

Current Programs & Services

Please let us know if you have used or are aware of the following programs and/or services operated by Dufferin County. Select all that apply. (must check off for each row, only check one per row)

Weekly green bin organics collection

Used this

Aware of/Not used it

Not aware

Urban and rural subdivisions bi-weekly yard waste collection or monthly rural call-in collection

Used this

Aware of/Not used it

Not aware

Monthly call-in bulky item and white goods collection

Used this

Aware of/Not used it

Not aware

Spring and Fall battery collection

Used this

Aware of/Not used it

Not aware

Winter and Spring clothing swap and share events

Used this

Aware of/Not used it

Not aware

Clothes’ing the Loop on Textiles resources and donation map

Used this

Aware of/Not used it

Not aware

Plan to Save – Reduce Food Waste resources

Used this

Aware of/Not used it

Not aware

Take It Back Directory

Used this

Aware of/Not used it

Not aware

Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste events

Used this

Aware of/Not used it

Not aware

Compost giveaway days

Used this

Aware of/Not used it

Not aware

What do you believe is working well with respect to waste management services and programs that are managed by Dufferin County? Select all that apply.

Waste Collection Calendar (Education & Outreach)

County Waste Services website (Education & Outreach)

Waste Wizard search (online) (Education & Outreach)

Dufferin Waste App (Education & Outreach)

County response to waste management issues or concerns managed by the County (Customer Service)

GFL’s (County’s curbside collection contractor) response to waste collection issues or concerns (Customer Service)

Garbage curbside collection program (Program & Services)

$2 garbage bag tag program for extra garbage bags beyond the bag limit (Program & Services)

Organics (green bin, kitchen collector for food waste) curbside collection program (Program & Services)

Yard waste (leaves, small branches etc.) curbside collection program (Program & Services)

Bulky large item and white goods (appliances) collection program (Program & Services)

Spring and Fall used battery collection program (Waste-related events)

Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste events (Waste-related events)

Compost giveaway days (Waste-related events)

How do you prefer to be informed of waste related programs and information? Select up to five.

Social media (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, YouTube)

County website regular updates

Educational instructional videos

Classes or workshops (in person)

Classes or workshops (online)

Virtual Webinars (online)

Information available in public spaces (e.g., video displays, public advertisements on buses, bus stops, billboards)

Printed education resources to take home (e.g., brochures, calendars, handouts)

Presence at community events (e.g., booths, displays, markets, education institutions, recreational facilities)

Newspapers (printed)

Newspapers (online)

Radio advertisements

Other (please specify)

10.

Do you have ideas on how to improve waste management, reuse, diversion and programs in Dufferin County? If so, please provide your suggestions below.

Maximum 20,000 characters

0/20,000

General Questions

11.

Which local municipality do you reside?

* required

Amaranth

East Garafraxa

Grand Valley

Melancthon

Mono

Mulmur

Orangeville

Shelburne

Other (please specify)

12.

What is your age?

Under 17 years old

18 to 24 years old

25 to 34 years old

35 to 44 years old

45 to 64 years old

Over 65 years old

Prefer not to answer

13.

Which of the following best describes your ethnic or cultural background? Select all that apply.

Indigenous (e.g., First Nations, Métis, or Inuit)

Black (e.g., African, Afro-Caribbean, African Canadian)

East Asian (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Korean)

South Asian (e.g., Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi)

Southeast Asian (e.g., Filipino, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Thai, Indonesian)

Middle Eastern or West Asian (e.g., Iranian, Lebanese, Turkish)

Latin American

White (e.g., European descent)

Prefer not to answer

Prefer to self-describe:

Why we’re asking: Dufferin County is committed to hearing from residents with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. This question helps us ensure that engagement on the LTWMS Update reflects the County’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and that the perspectives of all communities are represented in shaping future waste management programs and services.

Upcoming Table Talks & Open Houses

“Table Talk” focus group will be held in early December 2025 and an open house in Spring 2026 related to the LTWMS Update Project.

14.

Are you interested in attending a Table Talk?

Yes

Thank you for your participation in this survey!

For any questions please contact our Dufferin Waste Services team at: wastestrategy@dufferincounty.ca or 519-941-2816 x2620.

Your input is appreciated and will help inform the update to the Long-Term Waste Management Strategy for Dufferin County.