PPE doesn’t belong in the blue box

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City of Vaughan
Be sure to put masks, gloves, paper towels, tissues, wipes and plastic bags in the garbage
 
The City of Vaughan is reminding residents that personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, paper towels, tissues, wipes and plastic bags does not belong in the blue box and should be placed in the garbage.  
 
Everyone has a role to play in keeping Vaughan clean. The City urges citizens to follow these tips to ensure recycling ends up, and stays, in the blue box:  
 
  • Leave space (three inches) at the top of the blue box. Do not overfill it.
  • Too much material? Consider obtaining another or larger (up to 121 litres, no lids or wheels) blue box to match the amount of material.
  • Put heavier items on top of lighter ones.
  • On windy days, consider putting recycling out the following week. 
Safe waste handling  
 
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 contacted.  
 
The following steps should be taken when handling waste:
 
  • Carefully bag all garbage and green bin materials in plastic bags.
  • 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. 
 
Blue box and green bin exchange program 
 
With City of Vaughan facilities closed due to COVID-19, the Environmental Services department is piloting a program to allow residents to replace broken City blue boxes and green bins through home delivery. All broken blue boxes and green bins branded with the City of Vaughan logo are eligible for free exchange. This is one of many initiatives implemented by the City to support residents during COVID-19. 
 
Deliveries will be made on the day following scheduled waste collection, subject to availability. To request an exchange and arrange a delivery, residents can call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. For more information, visit vaughan.ca/waste 
 
Garbage tags  
 
Garbage tags can also be purchased from the safety of home by calling Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. The resident’s address, garbage tag quantity and payment will be taken at the time of the call. Garbage tags will be mailed out within one business day. 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 emailing accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
 
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