REMINDER: Double-Up Days are here
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Place up to six garbage items out without tags during the weeks of Sept. 22 or Sept. 29
Double-Up Days are here! Scheduled for the weeks of Sept. 22 or Sept. 29, on regular garbage days, residents can place up to six items of garbage for collection without paid tags. Large or bulky items, such as furniture, can also be placed outside for pickup. Each bulky item counts as one item towards the limit. Bags should be set out by 7 a.m. on collection day. Guidelines for setting out large or bulky items can be found on the City’s website.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) does not belong in the blue box
PPE such as masks, gloves, paper towels, tissues, wipes and plastic bags do 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 using a larger blue box (up to 121 litres, no lids or wheels) 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 have been in contact with waste.
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 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 the pandemic.
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, up to 13 items maximum.
Waste-less Virtual Visits
For residents finding they are putting more garbage to the curb, City staff are offering online 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.
Continue to check vaughan.ca/waste and vaughan.ca/COVID19 for updates and changes to service levels and schedules.
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