Everything you need to know about holiday waste collection
Image
Winter waste set-out reminders, Christmas tree disposal and more
At this time of year, you may be focused on decorating your home to celebrate the holidays, but have you looked ahead on your waste collection schedule, for upcoming collection days? The City of Vaughan is helping to make the weeks ahead as seamless as possible.
Waste collection schedule
Waste collection will not be affected over the holidays. Remember to have all waste items out by 7 a.m. on the day of your scheduled curbside collection. Collectors will not return for items set out late. Please note, collection times may be impacted during winter weather conditions.
Waste set-out
With snowy days ahead, it’s important to set waste bins and Christmas trees back from the curb approximately one metre on the right-hand side of the driveway (when facing the home). Bins and trees should never be placed on top of or behind snowbanks. This allows crews to safely collect waste and for plows to clear the snow effectively and efficiently in residential areas.
Christmas trees
For the weeks of Jan. 4 and Jan. 11, 2022, real Christmas trees will be collected curbside on your regularly scheduled garbage collection day. Artificial trees are collected as garbage at the curb and must be bagged. For the safety of the City’s waste collectors, follow these tips to ensure a quick and efficient pick-up:
- Do not place your real Christmas tree in a tree bag or plastic bag as that will not be collected.
- Remove all decorations (including tinsel and ornaments) and stands prior to collection.
- Ensure your tree is less than two metres (seven feet) in height. Cut the tree in half if it exceeds this height.
Real Christmas trees can also be dropped off at York Region Waste Depots that accept yard waste (fees apply). The Vaughan location is at 130 McCleary Crt. Visit york.ca/WasteDepots for more information.
If you have broken glass, from glass ornaments or décor, safely package the pieces in a sealed cardboard box labelled “broken glass.”
Double-Up Days
On your regularly scheduled garbage collection day during the weeks of Jan. 4 or Jan. 11, you can place up to six items at the curb – no paid tags are required. All materials must be set out by 7 a.m. on collection day. Some large and bulky items, such as furniture and mattresses, can be placed curbside and count as one garbage item. Ensure items do not exceed 68 kilograms (150 pounds) and are free of hazards, such as protruding nails. If disassembled, furniture parts must be safely secured together in a bundle not exceeding 20 kilograms (45 pounds). The City reserves the right to refuse unsafe, overweight or oversized items. Keep items dry to reduce the weight for collection crews. For more information, visit the City’s large and bulky items webpage.
Bin purchases
Need a new bin or garbage tag? You can once again purchase new City-issued blue boxes, green bins and garbage tags in-person from select Vaughan community centres. View locations, cost and more in the City’s public service announcement. You can also still purchase City-branded blue boxes and green bins online through Service Vaughan and get them delivered right to your door.
Bin exchanges
The City offers free blue box and green bin exchanges for damaged City-issued bins. Simply sign up online to exchange your broken blue box or green bin for a new one at vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan under the “Garbage and Recycling” section. From there, you will be directed to login to your account or register for an account in order to sign up for the bin exchange.
If you’re unsure where a waste item belongs, download the Recycle Coach App through the Apple App Store or Google Play for sorting information. The app provides waste-less tips and a personalized collection schedule with optional alerts on what to put to the curb each week. The City also offers an online sorting tool so you can quickly and easily check what item goes where using the search bar. Visit vaughan.ca/waste for more information on the City’s waste services.
For updates and news as they happen, sign up for Vaughan News at vaughan.ca/news and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
- 30 -