Make waste collection days easy!
Blue box, green bin or garbage – where does your waste belong? When sorting materials for disposal, you may be second-guessing what containers you should use. Don’t worry – the City of Vaughan has a variety of tools and resources available to help you choose the right bin for each item.
Here’s a quick guide to get you started:
Blue box
Place your recyclable items, such as cardboard, plastic bottles and cans, in a blue box. Your box must be less than 121 litres (32 gallons) in size, with no attached lid or wheels.
Avoid overfilling your blue box – leave space (about 7.5 centimetres or three inches) at the top of the box. Place heavier items on top of lighter ones to prevent litter on windy days. If your box doesn’t fit all your materials, consider purchasing another one online through Service Vaughan or in person at select community centres.
Green bin
Place your organics, such as food scraps, napkins and diapers, in a green bin. Whether it’s multiple bags or one large bag, ensure your organic waste is bagged and tied securely before placing it in the green bin. Compostable bags are recommended, but plastic bags are also accepted.
Garbage
Place your garbage – including black plastic, masks and coffee cups – in grey or black bins or bags. Your bin must be less than 121 litres (32 gallons), with no attached lid or wheels. Ensure your garbage bag is non-reusable polyethylene, no greater than 80 centimetres by 125 centimetres in size. The total length of any garbage item must not exceed 1.5 metres (five feet).
The garbage limit is three bags or items every other week – including bulky items. A paid garbage tag is required for any item exceeding the three-item limit. You can purchase tags by calling 905-832-2281 or online through Service Vaughan.
All bags and bins must weigh less than 20.5 kilograms (45 pounds) for the safety of waste collectors. The City reserves the right to refuse unsafe, overweight or oversized items.
Are you unsure where certain waste items belong? Use the online ‘What Goes Where?’ sorting tool to quickly and easily check with the search bar. You can also download the free Recycle Coach app from the Apple App Store or Google Play to confirm where a waste item belongs. The app provides waste-less tips and a personalized collection schedule with optional alerts on what to put to the curb each week.
Need a new blue box or green bin? You can purchase blue boxes and green bins online through Service Vaughan and have them delivered right to your door, or in person at select community centres. You can also sign up to exchange a broken City-issued blue box or green bin for a new one.
For more information on waste services in Vaughan, visit vaughan.ca/waste.
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