A resident in Windsor expressed concerns over the new green bins attracting rodents to the neighborhood after squirrels chewed through her bin. Laurie LaChance reported that shortly after placing paper waste and a wrapped birthday cake in the bin, squirrels had already created multiple holes in it. Despite contacting the waste authority for repairs, the bin remained unrepaired days later, leading LaChance to worry about potential rodent infestation due to the accessible food waste.
LaChance’s experience resonated with others on social media, highlighting worries about the green bin program introduced in Windsor, Essex Lakeshore, LaSalle, and Tecumseh. The initiative aimed to distribute around 120,000 green bins to households to meet waste diversion targets and safeguard water treatment systems from excessive food waste. The program focuses on converting green bin waste into fertilizer and renewable energy.
While acknowledging the possibility of pests breaching bins, the waste authority suggested preventive measures such as lining bins with cardboard to reduce odors and ensuring weekly waste collection even with minimal content. Additional tips included storing bins in cool areas to slow decomposition and freezing food waste before disposal. The authority assured residents of repairing or replacing damaged bins within the program’s budget.
LaChance remained skeptical about the bin’s effectiveness in deterring rodents, citing previous encounters with rodent damage in her waste bin. She expressed doubts about the bins’ durability, especially in warm weather, suggesting a need for sturdier materials like metal for better rodent resistance.
