Bag Tag Prices Increase July 1: Divert Waste and Save Money with Recycle Coach and Green Bins

The City of Owen Sound is reminding residents that the cost of garbage bag tags will increase from $2.50 to $3.00 starting Tuesday, July 1, 2025. This fee increase was approved by City Council as part of the Fees and Charges By-Law on June 16, 2025. 

With this change, the City encourages residents to reduce what goes into their garbage by taking full advantage of Owen Sound’s expanded waste diversion programs—including the newly launched Recycle Coach “What Goes Where” tool and the Green Bin organics collection program.

What Goes Where: A Smarter Way to Sort Waste 

To make waste sorting easier than ever, the City has introduced the ‘What Goes Where’ tool, available on the City’s website and through the free Recycle Coach app. This interactive feature helps residents determine how to properly dispose of household items—whether it's garbage, recycling, compost, or something requiring special disposal, such as items collected on Household Hazardous Waste days. 

Residents can: 

• Search by item name to see where it goes 

• Use image recognition to identify materials by photo 

• Get disposal instructions including drop-off details, special event info, and more 

This tool supports the City’s 2023 Waste Management Strategy by helping residents make informed choices and divert more materials from the landfill. 

The City encourages residents to use their green bin and recycling effectively. You’ll not only help the environment, but you will also need fewer bag tags.  

You can access the ‘What Goes Where’ feature by visiting the City’s Waste Management and Green Bin web pages or by downloading the Recycle Coach app directly.  

For more information, please contact Heidi Jennen, Supervisor of Environmental Services, at (519) 376-1440 ext. 3223 or hjennen@owensound.ca. 

Quick Facts: 

• Effective July 1, 2025: the bag tag price increases from $2.50 to $3.00 for a single tag. 

• Garbage collection: Remains every other week. 

• Green Bin collection: Weekly, on your regular garbage day 

• For further information, please visit OwenSound.ca/Waste.  

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