Recycling and waste collection reminders and tips
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Updates on recycling, garbage tags and Double-Up Days during COVID-19
With people spending more time at home – and generating more garbage and recycling – the City of Vaughan is reminding citizens about how to put their waste out properly as well as the precautionary measures in place to help protect front-line waste collection workers during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
What goes in the blue box?
The following items are recyclable:
- Plastic bottles, jug and containers
- Milk/juice cartons and drink boxes (no straws)
- Steel/aluminum food and beverage cans, trays, plates and foil
- Empty paint and aerosol cans (lids removed)
- Unbroken glass bottles and jars
- Household paper and paper products (books, magazines, etc.)
- Boxboard, broken down and flattened containers (detergent, dry food boxes, etc.)
- Corrugated cardboard
The following items are not recyclable:
- Wipes, tissues, masks and gloves
- Styrofoam™
- Black plastic
- Plastic bags and bagged recycling
- Coffee cups and pods
- Food pouches
- Clothing
- Toys
- Hoses
- Hangers
Reminder: Disposable wipes, tissues and paper towel and any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including masks and gloves, should not be placed in the blue box – they will not be collected.
Recycling tips
Residents have 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 the recycling out the following week.
Garbage tags
While the City’s Joint Operations Centre remains closed to the public until further notice, garbage tags can be purchased by calling Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. The resident’s address and garbage tag quantity will be taken at the time of the call. Garbage tags will be mailed out within one business day, and Environmental Services staff will follow up by phone to take payment by credit card.
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 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 email accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
For a personalized waste collection reminders, download Recycle Coach at the App Store or on Google Play. For more information visit vaughan.ca/waste.
Leaf and yard waste
Collection of leaf and yard waste runs every second week on the same day as regularly scheduled garbage pickups. Refer to the City’s waste calendar for dates.
Due to volume, collection may be slower than usual – residents are encouraged to leave leaf and yard waste out into the following pickup day if it is not picked up. Visit vaughan.ca/waste for leaf and yard waste program details and requirements.
The City asks that large or bulky items, such as furniture, be held and not placed outside for pickup to help collectors manage the additional garbage volumes during this time.
Double-Up Days
Double-Up Days are scheduled for the weeks of June 16 or June 23, on regular garbage days. Residents can place up to six items of garbage without a tag.
Safe waste handling
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 as they will not be collected.
- 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, bins, and refraining from approaching the waste collectors as they perform their work.
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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