City launches Medical Waste Exemption program

The City of Vaughan is launching a Medical Waste Exemption program to help residents who generate additional non-recyclable waste as a result of a medical condition. This new program, which excludes personal protective equipment (PPE), will provide eligible residents with 20 additional garbage tags per year at no cost.

Program applications are available on the City’s website and will require the signature of a medical professional to verify the need. Applicants can then email or mail the completed form, using the contact information provided. Once received, they will be processed within five business days. 

Participants of the program will need to reapply every year and verify with a medical signature every five years. The application renewal date will be provided in a letter that accompanies the tags. To learn more, visit vaughan.ca/waste. 

Garbage tags 

While the City’s Joint Operations Centre remains closed to the public until further notice, garbage tags can be purchased by calling Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. The resident’s address and garbage tag quantity will be taken at the time of the call. Garbage tags will be mailed out within one business day, and Environmental Services staff will follow up by phone to take payment by credit card. The garbage limit is three items every other week – including bulky items. A paid garbage tag is required for any item exceeding the three-item limit. 

Waste-less Virtual Visits 

For residents finding they are putting more garbage to the curb, City staff are offering one-on-one coaching sessions to help sort out more material into the blue box and green bin, which have no collection limits. These virtual sessions are designed to help citizens understand what goes where, reduce landfill and answer any questions about the City’s waste collection services. 

Staff can connect through FaceTime, WhatsApp, Skype and Zoom. Book an appointment today by calling Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email accessvaughan@vaughan.ca. 

Residents can receive customized notifications about their collections by downloading the Recycle Coach mobile app. For more information, visit vaughan.ca/waste. 

Safe waste handling 

It is important that waste is safely packaged and does not expose anyone to used PPE items like medical masks, gloves and disposable wipes. These items need to be bagged as garbage. 

Citizens should continue to practise good infection prevention and control when handling any waste by washing their hands and any surfaces that it may have come in contact with. 

The following steps should be taken when handling waste:

• Carefully bag all garbage and green bin materials in plastic bags.
• All personal hygiene and sanitary products, including medical masks, gloves, disinfectant wipes and baby wipes, must be placed in the garbage. Do not place these items in the blue box as they will not be collected.
• If anyone in a household is ill, place any item that has come into contact with the mouth, nose or eyes into the garbage. This includes items that would normally be placed into the green bin (tissues, napkins) or blue box (water/beverage bottles, pop cans).
• Do not flush any disinfectant wipes or baby wipes down the toilet as they can damage plumbing and cause sewer blockages and backups. 

The City’s waste collection contractor, Miller Waste Systems Inc., continues to use the recommended PPE to protect workers from hazards they may encounter while handling residential waste bags and bins. The City also urges citizens to do their part and help protect collection staff by safely handling their waste and bins, and refraining from approaching the waste collectors as they perform their work. 

For more information about City matters, please call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or visit vaughan.ca. 

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