Help make waste collection safer for front-line staff

Used masks, gloves and wipes must be bagged as garbage 

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

Citizens should continue to practice 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.  
• 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. 

Litter reports

With the melting of snow, litter has recently been reported on public and private property in Vaughan. Littering and dumping are prohibited and those who violate this by-law may be subject to a $205 fine. Any instances of illegal dumping should be reported to Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. 

In the coming weeks, City crews will embark on cleanup efforts to clear garbage and debris off public property across the city. This program will also include street sweeping. 

Double-Up Days 

During the weeks of March 24 or March 31, Double-Up Days will be offered on regular collection days, allowing up to six items of garbage to be put out without tags. Previously scheduled Double-Up Days during the weeks of April 7 or April 14 will continue as scheduled.    

The City asks that large or bulky items, such as furniture, be held and not placed outside for pick-up to help collectors manage the additional garbage volumes. 

To assist in prioritizing this essential service, leaf and yard waste collection will be deferred until the week of May 19. 

Continue to check vaughan.ca/waste and vaughan.ca/COVID19 for updates and changes to service levels and schedules.    

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

To receive the City’s latest COVID-19 updates as they happen, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.

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