Increased costs coming for waste collection in 2025

Essex County Civic Centre

There is good and bad news for Essex County residents when it comes to waste collection.

Michelle Bishop, general manager of the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority (EWSWA), along with manager of finance/administration Stefan Brisebois presented their annual budget during last Wednesday night’s meeting of Essex County council.

Bishop said that when the new green bin program begins in the fall of October 2025, that will have a direct impact on the reduction of waste that is going into the regional landfill. 

And while that is good news, the county will still see an increase of 4.1 per cent.

“2025 is a little different. Not only do we have our regular operations, but we have the launch of the green bin program that comes later with a different funding model,” said Bishop.

Next fall will see LaSalle, Essex, Lakeshore and Tecumseh households, 120,835 people in total, as part of the new program while Amherstburg, Kingsville and Leamington are expected to join in 2027.

Next year’s increase of 4.1 per cent is expected to be the same up to 2027 and a projected decrease down to 3.75 percent by 2028.

Bishop’s 28-page report to county council last week offered the following statement:

“That the board acknowledges the built-in budget pressures due to increasing debenture payments and other non-discretionary costs and commit to working towards a sustainable, balanced budget over the next 10 years while maintaining appropriate reserve funds and avoiding significant spikes in tipping fees.”

In 2024, Amherstburg paid $522,780 for waste collection and that will see a $28,000 jump next year to $600,780.

This year the county’s overall cost was $4,698,540 which will go up to $4,928,540. An increase of $229,660. For the City of Windsor, total cost in 2025 will be $5,865,270 which goes up from 2024 by $273,380.

Bishop also told council that the municipal tonnage to the landfill is expected to drop from 112,370 to 109,900 thanks, in part to the green bin’s regular food and organic waste management plan. She also said that will result in a $106,210 decrease which is part of a hybrid funding model.

Another big reason that the landfill is taking less waste is the ongoing commitment to recycling.

“The businesses who actively recycle is wonderful. Anything we can get into the program and sell, generates revenue,” said Bishop.

Increased costs coming for waste collection in 2025

By Fred Groves