Waste collection changes in effect
Garbage collection now taking place every other week
Today is the first day of Niagara’s new garbage collection schedule, with pickups now happening every two weeks instead of weekly.
Here is a primer on the changes, why they happened, and what you need to know about your garbage and recycling.
Why is the change happening?
For years, Niagara had weekly garbage pickup. As Niagara Region moved to replace its waste collection supplier — dropping the long-troubled Emterra Environmental for Miller Waste Systems and GFL Environmental — it also instituted changes to its schedule.
Region waste management director Catherine Habermebl said the change is principally driven to increase recycling in Niagara.
Currently, about 58 per cent of recyclable materials and organic waste are put in green, blue and grey bins, she said. However, she said on average 50 per cent of organic materials in put into garbage bags could be recycled.
So by changing the garbage pickup schedule but leaving the weekly recycling and organics pickup the same, the Region hopes to increase the amount of diverted material to 65 per cent to 68 per cent.
Habermebl estimated that would divert 10,000 tonnes away from local landfills annually.
When can I put out my trash?
The new schedule divides local municipalities into two groups.
Group A — St. Catharines, Fort Erie, Niagara-on-the-lake, Thorold, Pelham, West Lincoln and Wainfleet — goes first, with garbage pickup this week.
Group B — Niagara Falls, Welland, Port Colborne, Grimsby and Lincoln — will not have garbage collection this week. It starts the week of Oct. 26.
This rotation will then continue moving forward.
Two bags or containers may be placed at the curb.
The day of the week the trash gets picked up will still be the same except in two places — all of Wainfleet will get collection on Mondays, and Pelham residents currently receiving Wednesday pickup will switch to Mondays.
What about recycling?
Your green, grey and blue boxes will still be collected weekly as part of the effort to divert more trash away from landfills.
Habermebl said if people move more materials into recycling, it will reduce the amount of garbage a household produces each week.
There is a precedent of waste management policies resulting in more recycling in Niagara, she said. In 2011, the Region instituted a single bag limit on households with the option to buy tags for excess bags. That resulted in a significant increase in the amount of recycled materials at the curb as residents sought to limit their trash output.
There is an app
In keeping with the times, the Region has developed an app called Niagara Region Waste for smartphones that provides information on the new garbage collection schedule along with reminders of collection days, real-time information for pickup times or delays, and tips on good waste management practices.
It can be downloaded from the Region’s website, where more information about the changes can be found.