The City of Windsor is clearing up information circulating online about the cost of the organic Green Bin Program.
After a graphic circulating on social media provided inaccurate information about the provincially mandated program, the City has clarified that there is no additional charge being added to residents' 2026 property tax bills to pay for the program.
The misinformation indicated that Windsor residents would face an additional fee added to their tax bill. The City has stressed that that isn't the case.
"While we cannot take responsibility for misinformation making the rounds, I am sorry that Windsor residents have been left questioning how the provincially mandated and important Green Bin Program is rolling out and being funded in the City of Windsor," said Mayor Drew Dilkens. "Let me be clear. No. Windsor is not adding a separate charge to tax bills to cover the cost of the program nor of the new bins themselves. In Windsor, we are recovering costs for the program through capital funding and will not be levying an additional charge."
The organic waste disposal program, touted by environmentalists as key to keeping excess waste out of landfills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, is currently only used in Windsor, Essex, Lakeshore, LaSalle, and Tecumseh, with the rest of the region signing on later this year.
Despite the program costs being shared by Windsor and the County of Essex via the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority (EWSWA), each municipality separately decides how to pay its share of the costs. Costs for individual municipalities in the county may vary.
The City of Windsor has urged residents not to rely on internet posts about any program unless it comes from a verified source.
If residents have questions or concerns about the Green Bin Program, they should connect with 311 or refer to official City social media channels.
