You asked, we answered

Jan. 2, 2021 10:00 a.m.
​Access Vaughan answers the top five resident questions received in December

Have a question about a service in Vaughan? Want to report an issue? Looking for an update on the City’s COVID-19 response efforts? Access Vaughan is standing by with Citizen Service Representatives ready to respond to all resident inquiries. Reach the City’s contact centre by phone at 905-832-2281 (toll-free: 1-844-832-2112) or email at accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.

Every month, the City releases popular questions received and responded to by Access Vaughan in a series called ‘You Asked, We Answered.’ Below are the top five inquiries received in December.

1. Where are the City’s outdoor skating rinks and what times are they open?
The City’s five outdoor rinks are open daily, weather permitting, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., except the rink at Father E. Bulfon Community Centre, which closes at 10:30 p.m. They are located at the following community centres: Chancellor Community Centre (350 Ansley Grove Rd.), Dufferin Clark Community Centre (1441 Clark Ave. W.), Father E. Bulfon Community Centre (8141 Martin Grove Rd.), Garnet A. Williams Community Centre (501 Clark Ave. W.) and Vellore Village Community Centre (1 Villa Royale Ave.). Visit vaughan.ca/skate for skating safety guidelines and rink rules.

2. When will the City clear my windrow?
The windrow service is part of Vaughan’s extensive winter maintenance program. Windrow machines will clear a portion of all residential driveway entrances, so a car can drive through, within four hours of the street being plowed. The service does not clear windrows left by sidewalk plows and does not clear hardened snow, ice or the entire driveway. Windrow service may be impacted by a number of factors, including improper waste set out, cars parked on streets and cars parked on driveways too close to or hanging over the curb – which make it difficult for a windrow machine to effectively and/or safely clear snow from a driveway opening.

It is your responsibility to clear the small windrow across your driveway that is created by sidewalk plows. Read the Ontario Highway Traffic Act – section 181 for more information. Additional details on the City’s winter service levels are available at vaughan.ca/snow.

3. Where do I set out my waste in the winter?
During winter months, garbage, recycling and compost bins should be placed on the right-hand side of the driveway when facing your house. Additionally, ensure bins are set back approximately one metre (three feet) from the curb to minimize the chance of bins being knocked over by plows. This allows the City to collect your waste safely and to clear snow effectively and efficiently in residential areas. Do not place bins on top of snow piles as this can be dangerous for collectors reaching for your bins. For more information, visit Solid Waste Management’s webpage or watch the Winter Waste Collection instructional video.

4. What items are considered recyclable?
Below are examples of recyclable items in the city of Vaughan:
  • Plastic bottles, jugs 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.)
  • Cardboard, broken down and flattened containers (detergent, dry food boxes, etc.)
  • Corrugated cardboard

Personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves cannot be recycled and must go in the garbage. Ribbons, rope handles, gift cards, foil-type paper and cards with glitter are all detrimental to the recycling process, so they must go in the garbage. Items that are 100 per cent paper are accepted in the recycling, such as gift bags, gift wrap and tissue paper.

When putting items in a blue box, it’s important to rinse out food containers such as soup cans, yogurt containers, pop bottles, jam jars and more, to ensure they can be recycled. If the item contains food or food residue, it cannot be recycled and is sent to landfill for disposal. The waste facility is unable to wash and clean recyclables.

The City offers an online sorting tool to help residents understand what waste items go where. The Recycle Coach app for mobile phones is also available for download. The app provides waste-less tips and a personalized waste schedule with optional alerts on what to put to the curb each week. Residents can also download this free waste guide (PDF), which lists what waste belongs in each bin (recycling, organics or garbage).

The new 2021 Waste Collection Schedule (PDF) is now available online. The schedule includes Double-Up Days, leaf and yard waste collection and other important waste reminders. For more information about waste in Vaughan, visit vaughan.ca/waste.

5. What does it mean to be in Grey-Lockdown in Vaughan?
As a result of the City’s disciplined, measured and responsible approach to COVID-19, the Province’s lockdown announcement – under the tiered Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework – has limited impact on the City’s facilities and services. Programs and services continue, as they have since the beginning of the pandemic, with modifications and online.

Swimming pools, fitness centres and arenas are closed temporarily, and refunds are being issued automatically to all registered participants and permit holders without penalty during this closure. All pool and fitness memberships will be extended for the duration of the closure. Most City facilities, including Vaughan City Hall and the Joint Operations Centre, remain closed to the public until June 2021, at the earliest.

Enforcement and education efforts have been increased across the city. Greater attention and a more assertive, proactive approach to enforcement are underway. Public complaints, concerns and inquiries should be reported to Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. Visit York Region’s website to learn more about public health safety measures in the Grey-Lockdown level.

Those who feel unwell and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19 should contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on COVID-19, including physical distancing tips and advice from Public Health officials, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.

For more information about City matters, please call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or visit vaughan.ca. To receive the City’s latest updates as they happen, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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