Environmental Advisory Committee

The EAC’s role is to advocate for best practices in watershed management, including pollution-reduction initiatives and the preservation of natural waterways, to ensure clean, sustainable water resources for all.

Completed & Ongoing Projects

Resources for Arnprior Residents

Whether you live or spend time on the shores within town, or just care about keeping Arnprior's waterways clean, these programs and contacts can help.

Building Near a Shoreline? Check first:

If you plan to build, excavate, or alter land near a wetland, watercourse, or shoreline in Arnprior, it’s highly suggested to check your land survey. Speak to the town to confirm if there are any environmental protections, and see how you might make improvements to the shoreline. Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority also offers free Phragmites Removal Kits. Maintaining a natural vegetation buffer of at least 30 metres along the Ottawa and Madawaska Rivers filters runoff, reduces phosphorus pollution, prevents erosion, and provides critical habitat for fish and wildlife.

Clean, Drain, Dry — Stop the Spread When You Boat

Every time a boat, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or piece of water equipment moves between bodies of water, it can carry invasive species with it — even when it looks perfectly clean. Aquatic invasive plants like Eurasian Water-Milfoil and European Frog-bit cling to hulls, motors, anchors, and trailers. Invasive mussels like Zebra and Quagga Mussels attach to hard surfaces and are nearly invisible to the naked eye. Their microscopic larvae (called veligers) can survive for weeks in standing water trapped in a bilge, livewell, or trailer frame. A single trip between water bodies is enough to establish an infestation.

As of January 1, 2022, Ontario law requires all boaters to follow Clean, Drain, Dry protocols under the Invasive Species Act. It is illegal to place a boat, trailer, or related equipment into any Ontario waterbody if aquatic plants, animals, or algae are attached to it. Fines apply for non-compliance. The three steps are straightforward and take only a few extra minutes at the boat launch — time well spent to protect the Ottawa and Madawaska Rivers for everyone.

See the signage and pamphlets at the Arnprior Marina and always follow the three-step rule of Clean, Drain, and Dry. 

Never Release Animals, Fish, or Plants into Waterways

Releasing pets, aquarium fish, pond plants, live bait, or any non-native organism into a lake, river, or stream is one of the most direct ways an individual can introduce an invasive species to local waterways — and it is illegal under the federal Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations. The Ottawa and Madawaska Rivers already support populations of American eel, native mussels, and other species at risk. Introducing even a single non-native organism can destabilize the food web, spread disease, and cause lasting ecological harm.

Common sources of aquatic invasive species introductions include: releasing aquarium fish such as Goldfish or Koi into ponds or rivers, dumping aquarium or water garden plants, releasing pet turtles or frogs, transferring live bait (including crayfish, leeches, and minnows) between water bodies, and emptying bait buckets into a waterbody. Even species that appear harmless in an aquarium can become highly destructive in the wild where natural predators are absent.

•       Never transfer live bait between water bodies. You may only use crayfish in the same body of water where they were caught. Do not transport baitfish into or out of a Bait Management Zone (BMZ).

•       If you can no longer care for an aquatic pet, contact a local pet store, aquarium club, or wildlife authority for advice on humane rehoming. As a last resort, contact a licensed veterinarian — never release the animal outdoors.

•       Dry and freeze non-native aquatic plants in sealed bags before disposal. Do not compost them.

Ottawa Riverkeeper — Your Voice for the Ottawa River

Ottawa Riverkeeper is a charitable organization and the only group working at the full watershed scale of the Ottawa River. Founded in 2001, it serves as a collective voice for the river's ecological health, advocating for responsible stewardship, monitoring water quality, educating the public, and taking action when the river is threatened. As Arnprior residents, we live directly on the Ottawa River — Ottawa Riverkeeper works on our behalf.

Ottawa Riverkeeper's programs are science-based and community-driven. Their Watershed Health Assessment and Monitoring initiative tracks 14 indicators of river health — including total phosphorus, invasive species, and algal blooms — and makes findings publicly available. Residents across the watershed, including in the Arnprior area, can volunteer as citizen scientists to collect data that contributes directly to this monitoring work. The organization also operates a free Pollution Hotline that any resident can call to report a threat to the river.

Ottawa Riverkeeper also advocates for species at risk in the Ottawa River watershed, including the American eel, the Hickorynut mussel, and several turtle species. Their River School program brings hands-on environmental education to classrooms across the watershed — reaching over 4,500 children in 2024 alone. For residents who want to connect more deeply with the Ottawa River, Ottawa Riverkeeper offers shoreline clean-ups, swimming and paddling events, and public education programs at their River House location in Ottawa.

The committee develops and promotes strategies to reduce waste at the community level, including recycling programs, composting initiatives, and educational campaigns that encourage sustainable consumption.

Completed & Ongoing Projects

Arnprior Curbside Collection — Quick Reference

All collection schedules are managed by the Town of Arnprior. Paper copies of the 2026 calendar are available at Town Hall and the Nick Smith Centre. Download the full printable 2026 collection calendar here: circularmaterials.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Arnprior-2026-Calandar-pg-2-FINAL-1.pdf

What's New: Plastic Bags & Foam Now Accepted

As of 2026, Ontario’s blue box program has expanded significantly. Plastic bags and flexible plastic film — such as bread bags, cereal bag liners, produce bags, and stretch wrap — are now accepted in the blue box during Week 1 (Plastic, Glass & Metal week). Expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam — including foam packaging and foam take-out containers — is also now accepted. (circularmaterials.ca/arnprior)

Practical Tips for Residents

Reduce Waste at the Source:

•       Buy in bulk where possible to reduce excess packaging.

•       Choose reusable bags, bottles, containers, and coffee cups.

•       Repair before replacing — contact the Town or EAC for local repair resources.

•       Opt out of flyers and junk mail at Canada Post: canadapost.ca

Recycle Right — Common Mistakes:

•       Never bag recyclables in plastic — all items must be loose in your blue box except plastic films, shredded paper and large quantities of Styrofoam may be bagged in clear plastic bags of same material.

•       Do not mix Paper Week and Plastic/Glass/Metal Week items — the contractor will not collect mixed loads.

•       Hazardous items (paint, batteries, chemicals) must go to the Household Hazardous Waste Depot, located at the Renfrew Landfill seasonally, not the blue box or garbage.

Compost Your Food Scraps — Good for the Planet, Good for Arnprior

Composting is one of the most powerful and underused tools residents have to reduce their environmental footprint. When food waste goes to the landfill, it breaks down without oxygen and produces methane — a greenhouse gas roughly 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Just Good Compost estimates that composting can reduce a household's total environmental footprint by up to 70%.

Arnprior residents have access to local, hassle-free weekly composting initiatives:

Give, Get & Reuse — Shopping Second Hand in Arnprior

The most sustainable product is one that already exists. Buying second-hand, borrowing from a neighbour, or giving away something you no longer need keeps usable items out of landfill, reduces the energy and resources required to manufacture new goods, and builds community connections in the process. Arnprior has several excellent local options for residents who want to embrace a circular approach to the things they own.

Buy Nothing Arnprior — Free Community Gifting

The Buy Nothing Project is a worldwide gift economy where neighbours give and receive items completely for free — no buying, selling, or bartering allowed. The Arnprior group on Facebook connects local residents to give away things they no longer need, ask for things they're looking for, and lend items for short-term use. From furniture and clothing to tools, toys, and homegrown produce, the range of items shared is remarkable. The group also functions as a genuine community connection — many members describe it as one of the best ways to meet their neighbours.

•       Search 'Buy Nothing Arnprior' on Facebook to find and request to join the local group.

•       You can also find and join through the free Buy Nothing app (iOS and Android) — search your address to find the Arnprior community: buynothingproject.org

Shop Local Second Hand — Arnprior's Thrift & Vintage Stores

Arnprior has a wonderful tradition of second-hand shopping, with several local stores that keep quality items circulating in the community rather than heading to landfill. Shopping local second-hand keeps money in Arnprior, supports community organizations, and often turns up far more interesting finds than a big-box store ever could.

The committee’s goal is to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the use of renewable energy sources, active transportation, and community education.

Completed & Ongoing Projects

Current Programs & Incentives for Arnprior Residents

Several provincial and federal programs are available to help reduce energy costs and household emissions. Details and availability change — always verify directly with the program before starting any work.

How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint — Local Tips

At Home — Heating & Cooling:

•       Consider replacing an aging gas furnace or oil boiler with a cold-climate air-source heat pump — now eligible for rebates under the Ontario Home Renovation Savings program (up to $7,500).

•       Install a smart thermostat to reduce energy use when you are away or asleep — eligible for rebates through Save on Energy.

•       Improve home insulation and air sealing. Enbridge Gas offers rebates for insulation upgrades under the Home Efficiency Rebate program.

•       Before starting any retrofit, book an EnerGuide home evaluation — it identifies the most cost-effective upgrades and is required for some rebate programs.

Getting Around Town:

•       Arnprior's trail network connects residential areas to the town core and riverfront. Walking or cycling for short trips is one of the simplest ways to reduce transportation emissions.

•       If you are considering an electric vehicle, check current federal and provincial incentives at tc.canada.ca before purchasing.

•       Consider carpooling with neighbours for regular trips — especially for commuting to Kanata or Ottawa.

Energy at Home:

•       Enroll in Hydro One's time-of-use pricing and shift high-energy tasks (dishwasher, laundry) to off-peak hours to reduce both cost and grid demand.

•       Replace incandescent bulbs with LED lighting — LEDs use up to 75% less energy and last significantly longer.

•       Unplug electronics and chargers when not in use — 'phantom load' can account for 5–10% of a household's electricity use.