Not all items are for heavy garbage
Designated collection sites are in place for such items as tires, propane tanks, paint
Volunteers with the Clifford Street Youth Centre are concerned with the number of items left behind in the wake of the heavy garbage cleanup.
“Kids are naturally curious. We are seeing empty propane cylinders, tires and even car parts, and these are things that kids shouldn’t be playing with,” said volunteer Paul Ratchford.
“The problem is once someone sees an item at the curb or on the grass, then before you know it there is a pile of garbage.”
Ratchford said it isn’t just areas on the Northside that have this problem.
“I’m sure there are other areas throughout the regional municipality where these things are being left behind. It’s up to the owner of these items to dispose of them in the proper manner. We just finished cleaning up to mark Earth Day. This type of garbage, it’s creating unsafe conditions for the kids.”
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality is in the third week of the annual heavy garbage cleanup which is expected to be completed by early next week.
“We advertise what should and should not be put out to the curb for the heavy garbage,” said CBRM manager of solid waste Francis Campbell. “We have tags we put on items that aren’t eligible for pickup. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to remove items that aren’t picked up.”
Roschell Clarke, CBRM solid waste education co-ordinator, said materials that aren’t accepted for pickup during heavy garbage collection are items the municipality can’t accept because they are banned from landfill including tires, propane cylinders, leftover paint and electronics.
“Leftover paint can go to an Enviro-Depot (located in the Northside Business Park) and that is free of charge,” said Clarke. “Electronics such as televisions, desktop and portable computers and printers would go to an EPRA (Electronic Product Recycling Association) Depot at no charge.”
She added that tire retailers will accept up to four tires at a time, and the only requirement is they have to be off the rims.
Consumers pay an environmental charge when they purchase new tires.
“The smaller propane tanks can be taken free of charge
to our household waste special drop-off located 345 Golf Crescent in Sydport Industrial Park,” she said. “The larger ones can be taken to Thrifty Propane which is also located in Sydport.”
The seasonal leaf and yard waste drop-off site in North Sydney, located just off King Street (former public works),
will open May 18 and remain open every Thursday 1-6 p.m. until late November.
“For a lot of the smaller household items such as coffeemakers, kettles or toasters, people don’t have to wait until heavy garbage to get rid of them,” Clarke said. “As long as it fits in a garbage bag and is under 25 pounds, they can be
put out for regular pickup.”
Broken glass can be included in regular garbage as long as it is in a plastic container or a cardboard box and labelled properly.
“Anyone with questions regarding solid waste disposal can call 902-567-1337.