Potential Expansion of Municipal Solid Waste Collection Areas

• Unlimited volumes of residential food scraps, yard trimmings, and food-soiled paper (ex. napkins, coffee filters, etc.) are accepted in the Green Cart program
• One (1) Green Cart is provided to each property for collection. Additional Green Carts are not available unless a property has a licensed secondary suite, coach home, or other legally permitted dwelling
• If a property produces more organics than the cart will hold, extra organics are accepted in:
  • Standard 80L cans marked with a GreenCan decal (decals provided free)
  • Paper Yard Trimming Bags
  • Bundles of Branches (max bundle size 1m x 0.5m)

• The Township collects residential garbage every other week (bi-weekly). Bi-weekly collection is standard for municipalities across the region
• One (1) garbage cart is initially provided to each property.
• If a property produces more garbage than the cart will hold, extra garbage can be disposed as follows:
  • Additional garbage cart(s) – each property may request up to two additional garbage carts (total of three per property). Additional garbage carts are subject to additional annual fees based on cart size.
  • Extra Garbage Stickers – for properties that produce extra garbage occasionally, extra garbage stickers are most cost effective. Stickers are sold at the Township’s Civic Facility (20338 – 65 Ave), by mail order, and at several local grocers.

• Properties receiving municipal garbage collection are also eligible for the large item pick up program
• Each property is eligible to have four (4) large items picked up by appointment each calendar year
• This program operates year-round. Properties may have four items picked up at a single booking, or spread them out over the course of the year.
• Accepted large items include:
  • Furniture – sofas, chairs, desks, bed frames, etc.
  • Large Appliances – washers, dryers, stoves, refrigerators, etc.
  • Mattresses/Box springs (wrapped in plastic) – a maximum of 2 of 4 items annually may be a mattress or boxspring
  • Exercise Equipment – treadmill, stationary bike, etc.
  • Outdoor equipment and furniture – lawnmower, patio sing, BBQ, etc.

If municipal collection zones expand to my area will all homes be required to receive municipal collection? Or will it be possible to opt-in/opt-out?

A coordinated collection program can have several benefits, including:

• Reduced illegal dumping – the Township includes large item pick up service with municipal garbage. This allows residents to conveniently dispose of old furniture, appliances, and more by simply putting the item at the end of their driveway. In addition, if homes are provided with service it means they are more likely to dispose of bags of regular household garbage through their own cart.
• Waste Diversion – 30-40% of a typical household’s waste consists of organic material. Separating these items into the Green Cart turns this waste into a new resource - compost. In addition, by composting food scraps it results in significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than if they were left to rot in a landfill. Weekly organics service also allows properties to more easily abide by organics disposal bans implemented at regional waste facilities.
• Convenience – instead of making weekend trips to drop-off materials, simply set out your carts on collection day and collection service crews will take care of the rest.
• Reduced Vehicle Emissions– a single truck picking up from multiple households on a coordinated day produces significantly fewer emissions than individual property owners hiring their own contractor or self-hauls to a Recycling and Waste Centre
• Improved Air Quality – organics collection occurs year-round allowing properties to conveniently dispose of yard trimmings. Regular use of the Green Cart can help alleviate the need for seasonal burning of larger volumes of material.