How to set out waste in the winter

After a wintry day, you may have snowbanks piled up on either side of your driveway, which could leave you wondering where to place your bins and bags curbside. Don’t worry – we have all the tips to help make sure your waste collection days are a breeze this season!

Setting out waste in the winter

When it snows, clear a space at the curb to set waste back approximately one metre from the curb on the right-hand side of the driveway (when facing the home) where possible. Bins and bags should never be buried in snow or placed on top of or behind snowbanks. This ensures crews can collect your materials safely and gives plows enough room to clear snow efficiently in residential areas. 

Remember to place all items curbside by 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Staff will not return for materials set out late. Pickup times may be impacted by winter weather.

Keeping your materials from freezing

If the temperature outside is low, some materials may freeze inside your bins and adhere to the interior. Items that do not fall out when waste collectors tip the bin will be left inside the bin. Crews cannot return for bins that were not fully emptied due to freezing. To help prevent your materials from freezing, place your bins curbside in the morning by 7 a.m. instead of leaving them outside overnight.

Buying new waste bins

If your blue box or green bin doesn’t fit all your materials, consider purchasing another one online through Service Vaughan, and the items will be delivered right to your home – delivery fees apply. Purchasing another blue box can help prevent overfilling and keep your materials from blowing away on windy days!

The 83-litre blue boxes are $15 plus HST, and the 121-litre blue boxes are $52 plus HST. Green bins are $27 plus HST. 

You can also buy blue boxes, green bins and garbage tags at the following community centres while supplies last:

• Al Palladini Community Centre – green bins, blue boxes and garbage tags
• Chancellor Community Centre – garbage tags
• Dufferin Clark Community Centre – green bins, blue boxes and garbage tags
• Father E. Bulfon Community Centre – garbage tags
• Garnet A. Williams Community Centre – green bins, blue boxes and garbage tags
• Maple Community Centre – green bins, blue boxes and garbage tags
• North Thornhill Community Centre – green bins, blue boxes and garbage tags
• Vellore Village Community Centre – green bins, blue boxes and garbage tags
• Woodbridge Pool and Memorial Arena – garbage tags

All community centres accept cashless payments only by credit card and debit.

Exchange broken or damaged City-issued blue boxes, green bins or kitchen containers

If your City-issued blue box, green bin or kitchen container is broken or damaged, you can sign up online through Service Vaughan to exchange it for a new one, free of charge. The City of Vaughan logo must be on the bin to be eligible for a free exchange. 

What goes where?

If you don’t know where to dispose of an item, use the search function in the online ‘What Goes Where?’ sorting tool to check. You can also download the free Recycle Coach app from the Apple App Store or Google Play for more sorting help. The app provides waste-less tips and a personalized collection schedule with optional alerts on what to put to the curb each week. 

To learn more about waste collection in Vaughan, visit vaughan.ca/waste.

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