Collingwood dog owners will now find compostable pet waste bags at dispensers throughout town parks, trails, and public spaces. The Town of Collingwood launched the program on August 7, 2026, as part of its ongoing effort to reduce plastic waste and support local sustainability goals.
The new bags are designed to be taken home and placed in residents’ Green Bins for curbside collection, instead of being thrown into public garbage cans. The County of Simcoe has accepted pet waste in green bins since October 2019, provided it is contained in paper or certified compostable bags.
Town Council declared a climate crisis in October 2019, and this initiative aligns with the Greener Collingwood Corporate Climate Change Action Plan. The plan aims to cut corporate greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent below 2019 levels by 2030, while the community-wide Sustainable Collingwood Plan targets a 55 per cent reduction by 2040.
Wendy Martin, Manager of Parks, said the program gives residents another way to reduce landfill waste. “Small actions, when taken by many people, can create meaningful change,” she said in a town news release. “By switching to compostable pet waste bags, we are giving residents another opportunity to help reduce landfill waste and support more sustainable practices in our community.”
Pet owners are reminded that they are legally required under By-law 2012-016 to immediately pick up after their dogs on any public or private land. The town says it recognizes the change may take some getting used to for those who normally toss used bags into park garbage bins. Updated stickers are being placed on dispensers to explain the new disposal instructions.
More information is available on the Town of Collingwood website.
