Garbage collection spiked at start of pandemic
WATERLOO REGION — Garbage collection in Waterloo Region spiked at the start of the pandemic.
From garbage and bulky items to yard waste and recycling, people started putting a lot more out at the curb when COVID-19 took hold in the community.
“We did see this incredible spike during March and April,” said Kathleen Barsoum, waste co-ordinator. “It did reflect more people at home.”
The region’s waste department wasn’t sure what to expect when people were told to stay at home as much as possible, and schools and many workplaces closed their doors.
Curbside collection is starting to return to the usual volumes and no longer is the team reviewing numbers weekly, but it’s too soon to breathe a sigh of relief.
“Things are starting to normalize. However, we’re vigilant,” Barsoum said. “We’re just monitoring and going to be prepared to act.”
Collection of bulky items and yard waste was temporarily put on hold this spring to ensure crews could handle the volume of household waste.
“Definitely we had to focus on essential garbage,” Barsoum said.
That saw a 23 per cent increase in March and April compared to February.
Green bin volume was up 18 per cent for those two months, and blue bins 29 per cent.
While that bump in recycling may sound small, Barsoum said it’s a significant increase in items because those materials are light.
Lots more cardboard was going into recycling too, likely due to the jump in online shopping being delivered to front doors.
Single-use water bottles are also showing up at the curb in greater numbers, a trend that Barsoum hopes will be temporary.
She believes the increase in recycling is related to people eating more at home because restaurant dining areas are closed and children are not at school.
“I think it’s cooking. I think more people are cooking at home,” Barsoum said.
Bulky item collection resumed in late May, and residents took advantage.
“That was a huge week,” Barsoum said. “We can see they’re still doing a lot of work around the house.”
People are cleaning out junk from garages and basements, and doing renovations while they’re at home and many have time to spare.
Barsoum said those bulky items are also best to leave in one piece because it’s easier for crews to get into the truck. Residents should also stick to the limit of three bulky items a week for single family homes, and take the rest to a waste transfer station in Cambridge or Waterloo.
Those were also temporarily closed for public drop-off while safety precautions could be put in place. Spring is normally a busy time at those sites as people do spring cleaning, and that’s no different this year.
Yard waste was delayed about a month and people put out a lot when it resumed, but like other types of waste that also seems to be returning to a more normal level.
Barsoum said people are asking about compost, and it’s ready but they’re working on safety measures before residents can start picking it up for their gardens.
Safe collection is top of mind while COVID-19 is circulating in the community. Barsoum reminds people that masks and gloves should go into a garbage bag that’s tied shut.
Tissues should also go in the garbage, along with recyclables that came into contact with a sick person’s mouth, nose or eyes. Use a liner bag in the green bin and roll it down for collection.
Barsoum applauds the crews for their hard work to keep up with the significant increase in waste put out for collection.
“They did a remarkable job keeping up with the volume of garbage.”
Johanna Weidner is a Waterloo Region-based general assignment reporter for the Record. Reach her via email: jweidner@therecord.com