RELEASE — Effective June 15, the City will reinstate the one untagged bag limit for weekly garbage pick-up. (See sections, below, for additional waste-related updates.)
Since March 19, the City has allowed residents to set-out up to four untagged bags of garbage per week for curbside collection. Residents were urged to only set out what they absolutely needed to. This temporary service change was made to help residents:
* stay safe, stay home and eliminate non-essential trips to pick-up bag tags;
* follow the ‘Protect Your Collector’ guidelines – sick residents were asked to place any items that came in contact with their face into the garbage; and
* that were unable to access bag tags because retailers were closed.
“The four-bag limit was a temporary measure to help individuals and families that were self-isolating, and to provide relief to sick or symptomatic residents who were encouraged to throw any items in contact with their face into the garbage. This continues to be an effort under the ‘Protect Your Collector’ guidelines to safeguard waste collectors during the pandemic,” says Heather Roberts, Director of Solid Waste Services. “KFL&A Public Health (https://www.kflaph.ca/en/healthy-living/status-of-cases-in-kfla.aspx) reports that residents are doing well, cases are low and many retailers are resuming regular hours, so it’s time to bring back the one-bag limit.”
Need Bag Tags? Order them Online
As per normal practices, households that put out more than one bag of garbage, will need to purchase $2 bag tags for each additional bag. Bag tags can be ordered online anytime by visiting the City’s website! Orders are typically fulfilled within five to seven business days so residents are encouraged to place orders now to ensure they have tags for June 15. Online, bag tags are sold in sheets of four with a maximum of 40 tags per order. A $1.50 shipping and handling charge applies to each order.
View the list of locations where bag tags can be purchased. Please note that City facilities offering counter service to purchase bag tags remain closed.
Yard Waste Drop-Off Depot Restrictions to be Reduced on July 6
To continue to manage the increased springtime volume of visitors and provide physical distancing, the City is repeating its April 14 request to residents to only visit the yard waste site on their regular curbside waste collection day – or on certain Saturdays depending on where they live and according to this schedule on the Yard Waste Drop Off page. Full restrictions will remain in effect until July 5.
“The changes to the use of the yard waste site have been put in place to help address demand – and safeguard the health of those who visit and work at the public drop-off depot. Starting July 6, residents will be able to drop-off yard waste again Monday through Saturday, and will no longer have to wait until it is their regular curbside collection day. However, the maximum capacity of eight cars in the drop-off area at one-time and physical distancing measures will remain in place,” says Roberts. “Wait times will be less, but residents could still experience delays at certain times.”
Recycling Boxes and Green Bins
The City’s curbside Blue/Grey Box recycling and Green Bin collection programs have continued throughout the pandemic. However, residents have not been able to pick up new boxes/bins, or exchange broken boxes/bins since mid-March.
“We know that many residents need them, or have broken Green Bins and/or recycling boxes to exchange. The Kingston Area Recycling Centre and other City locations that provide these containers remain closed. We’re working on options to bring these services back safely, and ask that the public continue to be patient,” says Roberts.
At this time, residents may use a plastic container of a similar size with handles (e.g. laundry basket or pail) in place of a recycling box.
Residents who require a Green Bin to help comply with the one-bag limit can call 613-546-4291 ext. 2708 to make a request for delivery. This will be available until other options to provide or exchange Green Bins are accessible. Residents are reminded that each residential unit is only permitted one Green Bin.
June Giveaway Day and Backyard Composter Sale Cancelled
* The Giveaway Day that had been scheduled for June 20 has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
* The regular spring backyard composter sale has also been cancelled to due to budget considerations associated with the pandemic.
See more information and changes to waste collection.
Watch for changes to other municipal pandemic measures over the coming weeks. Sign up for City Matters to receive pandemic-related updates on City services directly in your email.
Release: City of Kingston
Photo: Pikrepo (cc)
